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Welcome to the info page. Here you will find out a little about me and my photography, how anaglyphs are created and lots more.
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For more links relating to Somerset please click here. The sites included are web sites that I prefer not to link to a specific town or village. For example, you will find the web site for Mendip District Council here rather than on the town page where they are based, Shepton Mallet. |
For more web sites on photography and photographers that feature Somerset please click here. For other web sites that feature 3D photography click here. I am now adding 3D photographs from other non Somerset places that I have visited. These will appear in GALLERY 2. Keep checking the NEWS for updates. |
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The easiest way to navigate this page is to check out the FAQ's first and see if the question has already been answered. If not then drop me an email by clicking the link below. Click here to download the custom made WoollyAnaglyph maker. I'll attempt to answer your question/s as promptly as possible and will add all relevant questions and answers to the existing FAQ's list. |
I recommend that you press F11 on your keypad to view the site full screen and to take regular breaks (about every 15 minutes) when viewing the pictures.
FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND NEWS ON THIS WEB SITE CLICK HERE.
WHILST YOU ARE HERE YOU CAN LEARN SOME ZUMMERZET, VISIT THE MEDIA PAGE OR VIEW MY 
ENTRY.
Contact me via the link below & please put 'Somerset 3d' in the subject box.
A big THANK YOU to all those who helped in the creation of this site.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE CAN I GET A PAIR OF 3d GLASSES?
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO VIEW THE PICTURES?
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TAKING 3d PHOTOGRAPHS?
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PICTURES OF CHURCHES?
WHY ISN'T THERE MORE INFORMATION GIVEN ON THE TOWN/VILLAGE?
WHY ISN'T MY TOWN/VILLAGE FEATURED?
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2nd July 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - RODNEY STOKE.
Rodney Stoke was originally just called Stoke. It then acquired the suffix of Giffard when it came into possession of the Giffard family at the time of King John. It eventually passed by marriage into the Rodney family when Richard de Rodney wed Maud Giffard circa 1300. The church of St Leonard has numerous monuments to the Rodney family. His son, Sir Walter, who succeeded him, owned many manors in Somerset. He was a man of great importance and held office as Sheriff of both Somerset and Dorset. Unfortunately the manor no longer exists and there is only a small part of the porter’s lodge still standing, now used as a barn. All the old houses here are built of the local Draycott stone. Unique to its source the stone was used in very early times and was used for the front of Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. When polished the stone was called Draycott marble with the largest peice now residing in Longleat House. Rodney Stoke is also a ‘Thankful Village’. Sources: The Book of Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and The Somerset Village Book by The Somerset Federation of Women's Institute.
As I mentioned last week I have increased the size of the gallery pictures slightly on new entries. When viewing them I would recommend you press F11 on your keyboard to get a better viewing experience. All you have to do is press F11 when done to return the screen to its usual format.
Another entry is on the Speakin Zummerzet page to read and hear by clicking on the link as shown and please have a look around the rest of the site by clicking any of the links that interest you from the menu below.
| MY FAVOURITES | SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET | W.A.M. | BOOK STORE | |||
| See my choice from the Somerset Gallery, along with notes about each anaglyph featured. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. Updated weekly. | Download probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. | Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. | |||
| FRANK MATTHYS | MEDIA | 3D GIFFS | MY PROFILE | |||
| Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. | See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. |
If you don't have any 3d glasses or have problems viewing anaglyphs have a look at the 3d giffs instead. Updated irregularly. | Coming soon
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24th June 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - IFORD.
Iford stands in a tranquil area by the river Frome. The settlement straddles the Somerset Wiltshire boundary with the majority in Somerset. Iford House stands here and was once owned by salter and mill owner William Chanler, who hailed from Bradford-on-Avon. It was he who added the classical front to the building around 1730. Earlier parts of the property possibly date from 1500 with extensions during the reign of Elizabeth 1 (1533-1603). The Manor was in a dilapidated state when bought by Harold Peto in 1899. Peto was an architectural partner to Sir Ernest George and Sir Edwin Lutyens who became more and more interested in garden design and was responsible for many in this country and abroad. The county boundary actually runs through the house, parallel with the classical front and goes on to bisect the out-door fish pond. Sources: The Wiltshire Village Book by Michael Marshman.
Part of the process in creating a village page is to scrutinize all the photos I'd taken and select only the best, usually about 15-20 pictures. This week I found it difficult to omit any and so decided to select the whole lot. I've also decided to slightly increase the size of the gallery pictures from now on, to enhance your enjoyment.
Another entry is on the Speakin Zummerzet page to read and hear by clicking on the link as shown and please have a look around the rest of the site by clicking any of the links that interest you from the menu below.
| MY FAVOURITES | SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET | W.A.M. | BOOK STORE | |||
| See my choice from the Somerset Gallery, along with notes about each anaglyph featured. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. Updated weekly. | Download probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. | Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. | |||
| FRANK MATTHYS | MEDIA | 3D GIFFS | MY PROFILE | |||
| Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. | See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. |
If you don't have any 3d glasses or have problems viewing anaglyphs have a look at the 3d giffs instead. Updated irregularly. | Coming soon
|
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17th June 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SAMPFORD ARUNDEL.
The name Sampford Arundel comes from Sandy-ford, a crossing over the little waterway, and from Roger Arundel, who was given the manor after the Norman Conquest. In 1225 Nicholas Arundel was pursued by his tenants here, denied sanctuary by the church and murdered. The body was then placed in the manor- house which they then set on fire, presumably to destroy the evidence. The corpse was carried off by the prior of Canonsleigh (Devon) and at least 14 of the tenants were later hanged. Sources: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush and The book of Somerset villages by Sheila Bird.
Another entry is on the Speakin Zummerzet page to read and hear by clicking on the link as shown and please have a look around the rest of the site by clicking any of the links that interest you from the menu below.
| MY FAVOURITES | SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET | W.A.M. | BOOK STORE | |||
| See my choice from the Somerset Gallery, along with notes about each anaglyph featured. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. Updated weekly. | Download probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. | Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. | |||
| FRANK MATTHYS | MEDIA | 3D GIFFS | MY PROFILE | |||
| Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. | See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. |
If you don't have any 3d glasses or have problems viewing anaglyphs have a look at the 3d giffs instead. Updated irregularly. | Coming soon
|
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10th June 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LANGRIDGE.
Langridge is a small agricultural village situated beneath Lansdown Hill, on which stands a monument to Sir Bevil Granville who was killed in the battle that was fought here in 1643. The church dedicated to St Mary Magdalene dates from the 12th century and has been designated Grade 1 listed status by English Heritage. Sources: Wikipedia and the Internet.
| MY FAVOURITES | FRANK MATTHYS | MEDIA | SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET | W.A.M. | BOOK STORE | 3D GIFFS | ||||||
| See my choice from the Somerset Gallery, along with notes about each anaglyph featured. | Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. |
See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. Updated weekly.
|
Download probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. | If you don't have any 3d glasses or have problems viewing anaglyphs have a look at the 3d giffs instead. Updated irregularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
4th June 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - PRIDDY.
At 800feet above sea level Priddy is the highest village in Somerset, and one of the highest in England. Its name derived from the Celtic for ‘Earth’. Throughout its history the village was held with and under the manor of Wesbury-sub-Mendip by successive bishops of Bath and Wells. It formed one of the four principle centres of lead mining and smelting on the Mendips Hills until St Cuthbert’s mine finally closed in 1908. Priddy Fair, formerly held on the green on St Lawrence’s day, was altered to 21st August when the calendar was changed in 1752 and still continues on the nearest Wednesday of that date. Now mainly for sheep (together with a funfair) it specialised in cloth when it was first mentioned in 1349. The King’s alnager of cloth was beaten up there and his warrant and purse stolen in 1350. There is no evidence to support the claim that the fair was moved from the city of Wells because of the Black Death. It is also popularly believed that the fair cannot continue if the picturesque stack of hurdles is not maintained on the green, although there is no legal basis for this fear. A local legend has it that a rich metal merchant called Joseph of Arimathea, whose trade brought him to the port of Watchet, walked the Quantock Hills to Bridgwater. On this occasion the young Jesus is said to have accompanied him and on their way they passed through the lanes to Priddy where he talked to the miners. The story is so deep-rooted that a local saying, used to back up a point being made, went ‘and that’s as sure as Christ came to Priddy’. Sources: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush and The book of Somerset villages by Sheila Bird.
I have added another page featuring my favourite anaglyphs from the Somerset gallery so far. Check it out by clicking here and why not email me to tell me your favourites.
Another entry is on the Speakin Zummerzet page to read and hear by clicking on the link below.
| MY FAVOURITES | FRANK MATTHYS | MEDIA | SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET | W.A.M. | BOOK STORE | 3D GIFFS | ||||||
| See my choice from the Somerset Gallery, along with notes about each anaglyph featured. | Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. |
See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. Updated weekly.
|
Download probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. | If you don't have any 3d glasses or have problems viewing anaglyphs have a look at the 3d giffs instead. Updated irregularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
28th May 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WELLINGTON and ROCKWELL GREEN.
The name Wellington, formerly Weolingtun, possibly means ‘the settlement of the people near the [Pagan] temple clearing’, and may suggest that the rise on which the parish church stands was an early sacred site. The place was first mentioned in an undated charter of 899 to 909, by which King Edward the elder of the West Saxons gave the manor to Bishop Asser of Shereborne, biographer of his father, King Alfred. Like most Somerset towns Wellington produced cloth in the Middle Ages. There was a fulling mill, probably on the river Tone, in 1503 and a cloth house near the market place by 1548. From Devon in the 1730’s came a Quaker family, the Weres, to found a cloth making business which was to dominate the town’s economy for over two centuries. Source: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
Rockwell Green is a former hamlet to the west of Wellington. Formerly known as Rowe Green tis present name was adopted circa 1780 and presumably refers to the brick well at the core of the village. The church of All Saints was put up in 1888 to the designs of J. Spencer. The tower and spire were added in 1908. Source: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
Another entry is on the Speakin Zummerzet page to read and hear by clicking on the link below.
| FRANK MATTHYS | MEDIA | SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET | W.A.M. | BOOK STORE | 3D GIFFS | |||||
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. |
See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. Updated weekly.
|
Download probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. | If you don't have any 3d glasses or have problems viewing anaglyphs have a look at the 3d giffs instead. Updated irregularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
21st May 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BROADWAY.
Broadway is strung out along a single street. Its name is supposed to derive from the ‘broad way’ which formerly led to the medieval Neroche Forest. The Almshouses were founded after litigation over Alexander Every’s will of 1588. The church of St Aldhelm and St Eadburga is situated away from the village, local tradition ascribing its isolation to an outbreak of plague. An 1891 memorial set up in the south transept commemorates Humphrey Pinney, early emigrant to America, who though born in Hardington Mandeville was living in Broadway when he emigrated in 1635: probably persuaded by the Rev Joseph Hull, curate here from 1633, who sailed with him. Source: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
Another entry on the Speakin Zummerzet page is available to read and hear by clicking on the link below.
| FRANK MATTHYS | MEDIA | SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET | W.A.M. | BOOK STORE | 3D GIFFS | |||||
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. |
See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. Updated weekly.
|
Download probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. | If you don't have any 3d glasses or have problems viewing anaglyphs have a look at the 3d giffs instead. Updated irregularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
14th May 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - EMBOROUGH.
Emborough, meaning ‘smooth hill, recorded in the Domesday Book as Amelberge, is a collection of farms, small houses and a church. Emborough pond, formerly known as Lachemere pool, is a feature used well by anglers. The lake was also popular for winter skating with the boys from Downside Abbey. The church is no longer in use and stands as a memorial for past times. I have a family history connection with Emborough Pond. My Grandfather, Roy Lancelot Woollard, once attempted to rescue a bather who had gotten into difficulty in the pond. The report in the local newspaper states that he was dressing after a swim when he heard calls for help. He was first directed to a spot where he entered the water but was unable to find anything. Later someone directed him to another place where he eventually found the deceased lying face down at the bottom of the lake. With help he pulled him from the water and attempted artificial respiration, to no avail. He was commended for his efforts. This event would have taken place in the 1920’s or 30’s. Unfortunately the newspaper clipping we have of the event does not have a date to it. Source: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
| FRANK MATTHYS | MEDIA | SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET | W.A.M. | BOOK STORE | 3D GIFFS | |||||
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. |
See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. Updated weekly.
|
Download probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. | If you don't have any 3d glasses or have problems viewing anaglyphs have a look at the 3d giffs instead. Updated irregularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
7th May 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ILTON.
Ilton was under ownership of Athelney Abbey from Saxon times until its dissolution. South of the village stands a nine-cell range of almshouses founded in 1634 by John Whetstone. To the east of the village a square moated site is all that remains to mark the site of the medieval Merryfield (13th century ‘Muryfield’, meaning pleasant field), held by John of Ilminster in the 13th century. A later owner, John Wyndham , is thought to have demolished it and used the materials to build Woodhouse Farm, dated 1634, at the north of the village. Source: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
As mentioned last week TOTAL FILM magazine has a major 3d special in their latest edition (after clicking the link play the video). There are articles on the history and the future of 3d films along with plenty of anaglyphs to view. A lot of the adverts are in 3d too. It's also a good way to get a pair of 3d glasses. So don't delay, pop out and get your copy now!
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. |
See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. |
Download the probably the best FREE anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
30th April 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BINEGAR.
The name Binegar apparently means ‘the slope where beans are grown’ and was listed as Begenhangra in a charter of 1065. Calamine ore, for the production of zinc, was mined here but the village is better known for its limestone quarries. Many of the 19th century houses were built to accommodate the quarrymen. Much of the stone was moved by rail via the Somerset and Dorset line. This was closed in 1966. Source: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
It appears that I have deleted the entry for Weare, dated 16th April. Unfortunately I don't have a back-up of the information on the village that was posted at the time. My apologies to the people of Weare. If anyone out there can send me a copy of that weeks post I would be eternally grateful.
I have been working on creating some giff images to give the 3d effect for those who have problems with annaglyphs or those who don't own any 3d glasses. Not all of the anaglyphs I create work as a 3d giff but, nonetheless, some do. It's a time consuming job to go through my extensive library to try them out but, from time to time, I will be adding to the small selection I can offer you for now. Please click here to go to the 3D GIFFS page.
A bit of 3d news now. If you're keen on 3d and enjoy the Terminator films then Total Film magazine is a must buy. The current issue contains a special 3D section that features all the 3D blockbusters soon to be at your local cinema and some 3D photos too. Glasses are included in the package so if you need a pair of 3D glasses to make this site more enjoyable then this month's magazine is for you.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering books from Frank. |
See what the media and other websites are saying about Somerset3d. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
23rd April 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ISLE BREWERS.
The name Isle Brewers comes from the village being situated on the River Isle and from being the early estate of the Briwere family in the 13th century. The present day church was built in 1861. Designed by C.E. Giles and paid for by its eccentric vicar (1845-1862), Dr Joseph Wolff. Born the son of a German Jewish rabbi he converted to Catholicism, taught Hebrew to the future Pope Pius IX and became self-appointed missionary to the Middle East. Kidnapped and sold into slavery, he walked 600 miles naked before escaping. Later, in America, he preached to Congress, converted to and was ordained into the Anglican church and married the daughter of the Earl of Orford. Source: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
A reminder if you are intending to purchase a 3d book fom Frank Matthys (See link below), please don't forget to mention Somerset3d when ordering.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. Includes audio examples to listen to. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
9th April 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WEST BRADLEY.
West Bradley is a small scattered village south-east of Glastonbury. Meaning ‘broad clearing, or wood’ with the prefix ‘west’ being a more modern addition. The prefix is a bit of a mystery as there is no East or South Bradley, but there is a North Bradley, in Wiltshire. The manor was given to Glastonbury Abbey in 746 by Ethelbald, King of Mercia. One of its later owners was Dr Claver Morris, the celebrated physician of Wells who died in 1726. Source:Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
I have entered a new link on the HOME page to enable you to visit my FLICKR photostream. Please pop along and tell me what you think of the photos.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
2nd April 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HORTON.
The countryside around Horton, and its close neighbour Broadway, came within the boundary of the Royal Forest of Neroche. By Tudor times cultivation of the forest and common land had begun and farmhouses were built, several of which still stand today. The village grew around a scattering of dwellings which were erected as the common land was gradually cleared in the area remembered as Broadway Hill. The church of St Peter was consecrated in 1900 and continued the work of the old Mission room. The Wesleyan Chapel was built in 1833 and the school in 1877. Source: The Somerset Village Book by The Somerset Federation of Women's Institute.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
26th March 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CHILCOMPTON.
Chilcompton was known in the Domesday Book as Continua. Its present name is said to have derived from the old words 'ceald (cold), 'combe' (valley) and 'ton' (village). There are several old houses in the village. Gainsborough House is rumoured to have belonged to the artist Gainsborough when he was working in Bath. Chilcompton was also the home to my Uncle Mike (Featured more than once on Speakin Zummerzet) and I have good memories of visiting him and hearing him tell his old jokes and show off his garden. Sources: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush and The Somerset Village Book by The Somerset Federation of Women's Institute.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
19th March 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BADGWORTH. Apologies for the late update. We have had no internet connection for the last two days.
Before 1066 Badgworth was held by two thegns, whose holdings may represent the later manors of Nether Badgworth and Over or West Badgworth. The two manors were united 20 years later by Walter de Douai. The parish church is uniquely dedicated to St Congar (Whose name is also linked to Congresbury), a Welsh missionary, who is thought to have founded the first church on the site. The present building is mainly 14th century in date and can possibly be attributed to John de Hamtone (or Hanton). Source: Somerset The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
Last Friday was my birthday and Mrs 3d and I had a day out in Bristol. For me it was a chance to complete my surround sound system, using my birthday money, with the purchase of a woofer from a well known retailer in Whiteladies Road, and for Mrs 3d the chance to explore the area for shops relating to her new business venture she is currently planning. For more details of this and some photos of our day out (and one of me when a baby) please click here.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
12th March 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - GURNEY SLADE.
The hamlet of Gurney Slade straddles the A37 and is set in an area of the Mendips that has been mined for coal and lead and quarried for its limestone for 100's of years. In the 17th century there was considerable lead mining activity in this area with the iron ore being carted to smelting works in the valleys. This died out over a century ago. Licences to mine had to be obtained from the 'Lord Royal', and miners staked their claims in traditional style and started digging their 'grooves' or 'gruffs'. Today hummocky, excavated ground on the Mendip plateau is still referred to as 'gruffy' ground. Source: The book of Somerset villages by Sheila Bird.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
5th March 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STONE ALLERTON.
Stone Allerton was originally a Saxon manor and was added to Chapel Allerton around the time of the Domesday Book. Like its neighbour it is historically a farming community. A walk around the hamlet will enable one to enjoy plenty of fresh country air and views across towards the Somerset Levels. Source: Somerset The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
26th February 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - EAST PENNARD.
The estate in East Pennard was granted by King Edred to Aelfgyth, a nun of Wilton in Wiltshire, and she in turn transferred it to Glastonbury Abbey, which retained it until the Dissolution in 1539. Ten years later the manor was granted to William Paulet, later Marquess of Winchester, eventually passing in 1797 to his decendants, the Napiers of Tintinhull. Pennard House, with its own park, is a Jacobean manor-house to the north of the village, which Gerald Napier remodelled in 1815. Source: Somerset The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE THE BIG PICTURE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
A big 3d picture for you to download and keep. Updated regularly. |
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19th February 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COCKLAKE and the last entry for SALISBURY in WILTSHIRE is now online.
There isn't much to see in Cocklake apart from farms. Just a few miles away from Wedmore it is a small hamlet of a place and is an ideal location to be used as a base to explore the area around Cheddar Gorge or, indeed, to wander off into the Somerset Levels. There are plenty of small places like this within the county.
Salisbury was an important centre for music in the 18th century. The grammarian James Harris, a friend of Handel, directed concerts at the Assembly Rooms for almost 50 years up to his death in 1780, with many of the most famous musicians and singers of the day performing there. Salisbury holds an annual St George's Day pageant, the origins of which are claimed to go back to the thirteenth century. Salisbury has a strong artistic community, with galleries situated in the city centre, including one in the public library. In the 18th century, John Constable made a number of celebrated landscape paintings featuring the cathedral spire and the surrounding countryside. Salisbury's annual International Arts Festival, started in 1973, and held in late May to early June, provides a programme of theatre, live music, dance, public sculpture, street performance and art exhibitions. Some buildings in Salisbury are reputed to be haunted. Ghost tours are popular with locals and visitors. One such building is the local Odeon cinema located in the House of John Halle. It is the oldest building in the UK to contain a cinema. Former Prime Minister Edward Heath lived and died in Salisbury. He lived in the Cathedral Close. His funeral took place in the cathedral and was attended by many respected political figures. Other well known people who have or still do live in Salisbury include former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’Anno, actor Anthony Daniels who is better known as C-3PO from the Star Wars films, actor Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, England rugby international Richard Hill and comedian David Mitchell. Source: Wikipedia.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE THE BIG PICTURE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
A big 3d picture for you to download and keep. Updated regularly. |
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12th February 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - DRAYCOTT and the penultimate page for SALISBURY in WILTSHIRE.
Draycott is best known for it's strawberries and for the quarrying of a local golden stone, Draycott marble, which takes a polished finish. The now-disused railway line that ran through the village was called the Strawberry Line. It was built as a railway line in 1869 to carry strawberries from Cheddar. The line closed in the 1960s. Parts of the line are now part of the National Cycle Network. Source: Somerset, The Complete Guide by Robin Bush and Wikipedia.
In May of 1289, there was uncertainty about the future of Margaret, Maid of Norway, and her father sent ambassadors to Edward I of England. Edward met Robert the Bruce and others at Salisbury in October 1289, which resulted in the Treaty of Salisbury, under which Margaret would be sent to Scotland before 1 November 1290 and any agreement on her future marriage would be delayed until she was in Scotland. In 1483, a large-scale rebellion against Richard III of England broke out, led by his own 'kingmaker', Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham. After the revolt collapsed, Buckingham was executed at Salisbury, near the Bull's Head Inn. At the time of the Glorious Revolution, King James II gathered his main forces, altogether about 19,000 men, at Salisbury, James himself arriving in the city on 19 November 1688. His troops were not keen to fight William and Mary, and the loyalty of many of his commanders was in doubt. The first blood was shed at Wincanton, in Somerset. In Salisbury, James heard that some of his officers had deserted, such as Edward Hyde, and he broke out in a nose-bleed which he took as an omen that he should retreat. His commander in chief, the Earl of Feversham, advised retreat on 23 November, and the next day John Churchill deserted to William. On 26 November, James's own daughter, Princess Anne, did the same, and James returned to London the same day, never again to be at the head of a serious military force in England. Source: Wikipedia.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE THE BIG PICTURE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
A big 3d picture for you to download and keep. Updated regularly. |
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5th February 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SALTFORD and the second page of SALISBURY in WILTSHIRE.
Saltford can appear a fairly mundane village as you drive through it on the A4, but it is in fact an interesting gem of a place. Running parallel to the main road is the old village High Street. A walk through said street will find charming stone-built cottages, a former schoolroom that is now the church hall, and, nearby, is the Manor House, reputed to be the oldest inhabited manor house in the country. Saltford used to be famous for brass manufacture and the old brass mill, now in some need of repair, still stands by the weir. The brass was hammered out by huge mechanical hammers and at one time was exported worldwide. At the top end of the village is Jeffreys Lodge, so called because the famous/infamous Judge Jeffreys lodged there for some time. Another interesting place is Brunel House, formerly called Tunnel House because the railway tunnel runs literally beneath it. Apparently Isambard Brunel once lodged there. Source: The Avon Village Book by The Avon Federation of Women's Institute .
The location for Salisbury was chosen for a settlement because of the abundance of water. The city's origins go back to the Iron Age. The Romans called it "Sorviodunum". In modern Welsh the city is Caersallog. There was a battle between the West Saxons and the Britons here, after which the place was called "Searoburh". The Normans built a castle and called it "Searesbyrig" or "Seresberi". By 1086, in the Domesday Book, it was called "Salesberie". The site of the castle is now known as Old Sarum. The first Salisbury Cathedral was built at Old Sarum by St Bishop Osmund between 1075 and 1092. A larger building was built on the same site circa 1120. However, deteriorating relations between the clergy and the military at Old Sarum led to the decision to re-site the cathedral elsewhere. Thus the city of New Sarum, known as Salisbury, was founded in 1220, and the building of the new cathedral begun by Bishop Richard Poore in that year. The main body was completed in only 38 years and is a masterpiece of Early English architecture. Some stones which make up the cathedral came from Old Sarum, others from the Chilmark Quarries from where they were floated down the River Nadder in small boats. The 123 m (400 ft) tall spire was built later and is the tallest spire in the UK. The cathedral is built on a gravel bed with unusually shallow foundations of 18 inches (46 cm) upon wooden faggots: the site is supposed to have been selected by shooting an arrow from Old Sarum, although this can only be legend as the distance is over 3 kilometres (1.9 mi). It is sometimes claimed the arrow hit a white deer, which continued to run and died on the spot where the Cathedral now exists. The cathedral library contains the best preserved of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta. In 1386, a large mechanical clock was installed at Salisbury Cathedral, the oldest surviving mechanical clock in Britain. Source: Wikipedia.
As usual there is another entry on the Speakin Zummerzet page and this week features a new picture on The Big Picture page. Please click on links below to visit.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE THE BIG PICTURE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books of Bruges, Ypres and more. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. Probably |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
A big 3d picture for you to download and keep. Updated regularly. |
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29th January 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - MONKTON COMBE and also the first page of a four week feature on SALISBURY in WILTSHIRE.
Monkton Combe nestles in the south-facing slope of the valley of Limpley stoke. The word Combe originates from the word ‘Cume’, meaning hollow or low situation. Throughout the medieval period the monks from Bath Abbey worked in the valley, grinding their corn, tending their flocks etc for more than five centuries. Cume thus became known as ‘Moncken Cume’, the Monks’ Valley. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries the old stability was lost and the manor of Monkton Combe was sold. The village still contains many historical buildings including a farmhouse with mullioned windows, part of which dates from 1490, an ancient dovecote, a water-mill (now disused) and a Lock-Up dating from 1776, with a domed roof, strong windowless walls and a stout iron-studded door. It is thought to be unique in having two cells inside. Source: The Avon Village Book by The Avon Federation of Women's Institute .
Mrs 3d and I visited Salisbury last weekend. Mrs 3d went off around the shops and I took my new Samsung S1070 cameras out for a test-drive. After years of using a pair of Canon iXus cameras I thought it about time I upgraded. After getting used to the controls, and with how light they were, I headed off into the city to try them out. They were easy to use, could be made to go silent so were discrete where necessary, and the large viewfinder on the back made lining up the images a breeze. Once home the picture quality was thoroughly checked on the computer and I was not disappointed. The indoor shots clearly showed the benefit of an anti-shake feature. The colours were good though contrast was a tad weak. Overall though I am more than happy with my choice. If you were thinking of buying one (or two) and had doubts because of the low price then I can recommend that you go ahead without fear. Amazon appear to have the best deal for now. Click on the BOOK STORE link below and then on DIGITAL CAMERAS to have a look for yourself.
A reminder that there is another entry on the Speakin Zummerzet page. Please click on link shown below.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE THE BIG PICTURE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
A big 3d picture for you to download and keep. Updated regularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
22nd January 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CAMERTON.
One time Rector John Skinner put Camerton on the map with his diaries. Originally trained as a lawyer the Reverend was unfortunate in his personal relationships and was totally unsuited to parish life. He did his duties conscientiously, according to his own standards, but confided in his diary ‘I am tied hands and feet, and placed in a pillory to be pelted at by Methodists, Catholics, and Colliers; and moreover a combination of worthless farmers and an overbearing woman with an unprincipled steward to contend with.... Who will undertake the office of a Clergyman if he is exposed to the miseries I have sustained during the twenty five years I have been Rector at Camerton’. It was all too much for him and he took his gun, went into the woods near the rectory and shot himself. His diaries leave a vivid and detailed picture of the hard life of a mining area in the early 19th century. Source: The Avon Village Book by The Avon Federation of Women's Institute .
Don't forget to check out the new entry for Speakin Zummerzet. Please click on link shown below.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE THE BIG PICTURE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
A big 3d picture for you to download and keep. Updated regularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
15th January 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BURNETT, and more pictures have been added to the SHEPTON MALLET page.
A Christian place of worship has existed in Burnett for more than 1000 years. In 1084, when Burnett belonged to William the Conqueror, the hamlet was valued at £4. In 1102 the village passed into control of the Benedictine monks of Tewksbury, who worshipped in the church on their way to Glastonbury Abbey. The first recorded rector of St Michael’s was Hugh Fitzede in 1191. The 16th century shows the village being in the ownership of a wealthy Bristol trader and financier named John Cutte, who renovated the church. The famous Cutte brass now decorates one of the walls inside. A silver chalice was also purchased and given to the church and is still in use today for festive occasions. For security reasons the chalice is not kept at the church when not in use. A memorial plaque for Major-General Sir James Wilson, who returned to the village after fighting in the Napoleonic Wars, also features in the church. There is a portrait of the great man and his engraved sword is also in the church’s possession. Source: The church of St Michael's leaflet.
A long overdue update to the Shepton Mallet page features my very early attempts at 3d. The photos were taken in October & November 2005. The town has had its fair share of criticism over the years, a lot of it from the town's residents. Speaking as a Sheptonian I feel the town has much to offer and is an interesting town to walk around. There is a lot of history around the old streets and would recommend any visitor to pop in to the Tourist Information Office at the top of the town and seek out a town guide and explore the hidden gems. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Another new word is featured on the SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET page.
THE BIG PICTURE continues to be of West Harptree. It will be available for downloading for three more weeks.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. BOOK STORE THE BIG PICTURE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. |
Buy books,CD's and DVD's based on Somerset and the other places featured. |
A big 3d picture for you to download and keep. Updated regularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
8th January 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LIMPLEY STOKE, and BROADWAY Worcestershire. Both of these villages are loacated in the Cotswolds.
Limpley Stoke is on the southern edge of the Cotswolds "area of outstanding natural beauty" and is in the heart of the Bath green belt, right on the border of Somerset and Wiltshire. For the purposes of this website I am going with Multimap when stating that this village is in Somerset. The A36 road splits the village in half with the older part of the village on the lower slopes. It is a long-established village whose history dates back over 1,000 years. St Mary's church dates back to the 13th Century and is well worth a visit. Scratched on its inside walls are crosses, said to have been made by local knights before leaving for the crusades. Source: The Limpley Stoke website.
Mrs 3d and I visited Broadway this Christmas during a 3 day break in the Cotswolds. I didn't take my 3d cameras but managed to capture a few 3d's with the one camera I did take. The village is actually in Worcestershire and is billed as the tourist centre for the Cotswolds. The village name derives quite naturally from the width of the main street. The width is due to it covering two streams that run down each side of the original, narrower road. The Lygon Arms commemorates General Lygon, an eccentric local who had his estate planted with clumps of trees in the same formation as the troops at the battle of Waterloo, so that he could re-enact the battle. Source: The visitors guide to the Cotswolds by Richard Sale.
SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET is back and introduces a new series of words, in the way the old Zummerzet folk used to speak.
THE BIG PICTURE this week is one of West Harptree. It will be available for downloading for the next four weeks.
Bienvenue aux nouveaux visiteurs du site internet Français Disney Central Plaza. Merci de visiter mon site. J’èspère que les photos vous plaisent. N’hésitez pas à m’envoyer un email pour me faire savoir ce que vous pensez de mon site. Vous pouvez m’écrire en Français, ma femme traduira pour moi.
FRANK MATTHYS MEDIA SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET W.A.M. THE BIG PICTURE
Find out more about Frank and his 3d books. |
See what the media are saying about this website. | Learn about the old Zummerzet language. |
Download the best anaglyph software on the net. | A big 3d picture for you to download and keep. Updated regularly. |
HOME GALLERY 1 GALLERY 2 TOP OF PAGE
1st January 2009
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STANTON DREW.
Stanton Drew has changed much over the years but many things remain unchanged. The three Stone Circles are probably around 4000 years old, but nobody really knows why they are there. The legend of the Wicked Wedding suggests a wedding party was turned to stone for dancing on the sabbath. Under no circumstances should anyone count the stones or evil will befall, apparently. Another well known landmark in the village is the Roundhouse. Originally it was a lookout tower for Stanton Court, and later a toll house. A 14th century bridge still spans the River Chew, despite one or two mishaps with careless drivers. The Domesday book records the manor belonging to Roger de Stanton (scroll down to second entry). A later member of the family had the name Drogo or Drew, hence Stanton Drew.
THE BIG PICTURE remains the special Christmas 3d photo for one more week.
An early update for me today, as I thought it would be a good idea to have some quality time with Mrs 3d tonight, instead of being sat at my laptop as usual on a Wednesday evening. So, I'd like to say a big HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL ALL and may all your New Year resolutions last longer than they did last year.
More information and software available via the following links:
SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET, FRANK MATTHYS (You can now buy his books via PayPal), MEDIA and the WOOLLY ANAGLYPH MAKER.
Please drop me an email to tell me what you think of the website.
25th December 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ENGLISHCOMBE.
Now part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate Englishcombe once belonged to Nigel de Gournay. This was at the time William the Conquerer ordered the Domesday survey in 1086. It is sumised that Nigel originated from Gournay in France and the ownership of the village would have been earned by fighting for William. Another member of the family, Robert, is thought to be responsible for the church being built early in the 12th century. Robert de Gournay died in 1269 and is buried alongside his uncle, Maurice, in the chapel of St Mark's Hospital in Bristol (now the Lord Mayor's Chapel, College Green). A more thorough history of Englishcombe can be found by visiting the village's own excellent website. The link can be found on the village page.
*** BOXING DAY UPDATE***
For those of you looking to purchase any of Frank Matthys' 3d books I thought you'd like to know that he has just added the ability to pay via PayPal to his site. Please remember to mention Somerset3d when ordering. Many thanks.
THE BIG PICTURE this week features a special Christmas themed 3d photo for you to download.
So, Christmas is here again. I hope you all have a super time and have positive thoughts about the New Year. Thank you for your support during the year and I look forward to providing more Somerset villages in 3d for you in 2009.
There is more information and software available via the following links: SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET, FRANK MATTHYS, MEDIA and the WOOLLY ANAGLYPH MAKER.
Please drop me an email to tell me what you think of the website. You can do so by clicking here.
Source: The Parish of Englishcombe by Jean Manco.
18th December 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - DUNDON and a feature on FRANK MATTHYS, the man behind the 3d book of Bruges.
Although named in Compton Dundon I felt the suffix deserved it's own entry. Dundon half circles a cone-shaped hill with an ancient camp at its summit named Dundon Beacon. The camp was an Iron Aged settlement and there is evidence of some Roman occupation. The 13th century church of St Andrew contains a Jacobean pulpit and the churchyard Yew tree is reputed to be over 1000 years old.
THE BIG PICTURE, featuring the Somerset village of Stogumber, continues to be available for downloading.
This week I have uploaded a feature on Frank Matthys. As regular visitors will know Frank is responsible for the 3d book of Bruges that my wife bought me whilst in the city earlier in the year. I was so enthralled with the book that I contacted the publisher to find out more. It led me to exchanging emails with Frank, who is both the publisher and photographer, and he agreed to answer some questions from me to post on this site. This he duly did, in Dutch as well as English and, as a bonus, Frank also agreed to let me have some of his anaglyphs to add to the feature. These will be found at the bottom of the article. I also persuaded my lovely wife to translate the text to French. Click here to go to the feature. I hope you enjoy it.
I have put a short message on the Speakin Zummerzet page along with something to think about during Christmas.
There is more information and software available via the following links: MEDIA and the WOOLLY ANAGLYPH MAKER.
Please drop me an email to tell me what you think of the website. You can do so by clicking here.
11th December 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CHAPEL ALLERTON (Link now fixed, my error, sorry).
Chapel Allerton can boast to have one of only two remaining windmills in Somerset, and also of it being the last working windmill in the county. First mentioned as a mill in 1317 the present building dates from around 1760, and was last used in 1927. It has since been fully restored and is now owned by Sedgemoor District Council. It is open to the public from Easter to September on Sundays and Bank Holidays and on Wednesdays during July and August, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Admission is free. The windmill and the village lay on the south-west side of a low ridge known as the Isle of Wedmore. In the Domesday Book the entry for the village is recorded as Alwarditone.
THE BIG PICTURE, featuring the Somerset village of Stogumber, continues to be available for downloading.
Some of my 3d pictures are being featured on a new website called 'The World in 3D'. It is run by Stefan Hoevenaars and I'm more than pleased to have some of my pictures on his website for more people to see. Good luck with the project Stefan. I've also decided to add more photos to my Flickr account. Up until now I've limited what I've put on the site as I wanted to try and sell pictures via my own photography website, but, after some thought, I felt that Flickr will give me a far greater audience, and feedback, for me to be able to develop (no pun intended) and improve my photography skills. I've only added one more set so far, of photos from Sardinia, but there will me more to follow. Let me know what you think.
There is more information and software available via the following links: MEDIA, SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET and the WOOLLY ANAGLYPH MAKER.
Please drop me an email to tell me what you think of the website. You can do so by clicking here.
4th December 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - PORTISHEAD.
Portishead Dock was completed in 1879, and ships arrived with cargoes of grain, timber and coal. When the railway was added employment increased, leading to new houses being built for the increasing population. A light railway was opened in 1897 connecting Portishead to Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare. Owing to a number of destitute boys in the city of Bristol it was decided to establish a training ship in the docks. This led to the Formidable being towed in, and was moored off of Portishead Pier for the next 37 years. The opening was performed by Charles Kingsley in 1869. After the ship came into bad shape an on-shore establishment was built, with the Nautical School being opened in 1906. It was to close down in 1982.
This week see's a new photo for THE BIG PICTURE, featuring the Somerset village of Stogumber.
Yesterday was full of sunshine, so I took advantage and visited some more Somerset villages to put on the website. Coming your way soon will be Draycott, Cocklake, Chapel Allerton, Stone Allerton, Badgworth and Weare. Also, Frank Matthys has been in touch and has replied to a questionnaire I put to him, in Dutch as well as English. He has promised to send me some photos to feature and I will also get his answers to my questions translated to French. So, sometime soon expect a full feature on Frank and his books (For new visitors Frank Matthys is a photographer based in Belgium who has produced a number of 3d books on European cities. I have his book on Bruges and I heartily recommend you visit his website and purchase a copy. You can do so by visiting my Bruges entry and clicking on the 'buy 3d books' link, or by clicking here. Please mention Somerset3d if ordering). One last piece of news is that this website was featured in the 'What we learned on the web this week' section as an internet pick for last weekend's Guardian Technology page and in the Saturday edition of the newspaper (In the reviews section). A big thank you to whomever it was in the Guardian for putting my website forward.
There is more information and software available via the following links: MEDIA, SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET and the WOOLLY ANAGLYPH MAKER.
Please drop me an email to tell me what you think of the website. You can do so by clicking here.
27th November 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - NEWTON St LOE.
The name of Newton St Loe is derived from the Old English for 'new homestead or village' combined with the local land owning family of St Loe. The manor was owned in the 16th century by Bess of Hardwick through her marriage to William St Loe. Later it came into the possession of the Langton family. One of the family, Joseph Langton, built the mansion, Newton Park, in the 1760's. Eventually the Duchy of Cornwall bought the estate, and the City of Bath took over the Georgian house. It is now the Bath College of Higher Education.
The THE BIG PICTURE remains of a scene in Lower Slaughter in the Cotswold's for one more week.
Last weekend I visited the above village along with Saltford, Burnett and Stanton Drew. Thanks to the church caretaker at Burnett I was able to photograph inside the small church and much was learned about the history of the village.
Other links for your interest are the MEDIA, SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET and the WOOLLY ANAGLYPH MAKER.
Please drop me an email to tell me what you think of the website. You can do so by clicking here.
20th November 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - FRESHFORD, and ABBOTSBURY in DORSET in GALLERY2.
To me, Freshford has a feeling of Bath about it. It's architecture especially gives the impression that this is a tiny peace of the Georgian city set out in the countryside. With Bath only 6 miles away, perhaps this should come as no surprise. There is a rail connection in the village, opened in 1857, on the Weymouth and Portsmouth route from Bath and the Kennet & Avon canal is a short walk away. It is a pleasant village to walk around.
Abbottsbury in Dorset is a very old village, settling amongst the hills behind the great Chesil Bank, which keeps the Channel seas at bay. The village contains the world famous swannery. This bird sanctuary is over 600 years old and nestles in the lagoon behind Chesil Bank. The legend of Chesil Beach is that the 11 mile stretch of pebbles from which it is formed were washed up in a single night. The facts are that it is a million years old and consists of chalk, flint and rocks from distant places. . Roman and medieval coins, rings and gold have been found in the clay that becomes exposed when the gales blow.
The THE BIG PICTURE of a scene in Lower Slaughter in the Cotswold's is still available for a couple more weeks to view and download.
For your information I have added some new photos to the Alan Woollard Photography website, please click here to view (page opens in a new window).
Other links for your interest are the MEDIA page to see what others think of this website, SPEAKIN ZUMMERZET to learn about the Somerset language (I'm working on a series of updates that should be ready for inclusion in the new year) and the WOOLLY ANAGLYPH MAKER page to download the custom made, easy to use software, so you can make your own 3d pictures.
Click here to send me an email and tell me your views on the site.
Sources:The Avon Village Book by The Avon Federation of Women's Institute and The Dorset Village Book by Harry Ashley.
13th November 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BUTLEIGH.
Butleigh has distinguished Naval connections, with several of the famous Hood family being born here. Among them are Alexander Hood (1726-1814) who became Commander of the Channel Fleet, and later Lord Bridport, and Samuel Hood (1724 - 1816) who rose from a midshipman at 16 years old to become Rear Admiral, and was later created Viscount Hood. The village was also the home of Robert Neville Granville, the last squire of Butleigh. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge and was a skilled engineer. He not only drove a railway engine but had one named after him, The Butleigh Court. In 1875 he designed and built the Grenville Steam Carriage, believed to be the world's oldest self-propelled passenger-carrying road vehicle. After use as a road vehicle it was used as a stationary engine to work a cider press. Now it is a prize exhibit at the Industrial Museum in Bristol.
The THE BIG PICTURE of a scene in Lower Slaughter in the Cotswold's is still available to view and download.
Last weekend I was able to take a trip out on the Saturday to increase the Somerset3d stock. I visited Limpley Stoke, Freshford, Monkton Combe, Englishcombe and Camerton. Sunday I was not so lucky. The intention was to capture some villages in the Bristol area, but the weather put paid to most of the day. The rain did stop near the end of the afternoon so I was given the chance to take some 3d's of Portishead before it got too dark. So expect the afore mentioned locations to be featured soon. Fingers crossed for a clear day in the next couple of weeks to build up some more stock before I decide to hibernate.
Just a reminder that the Alan Woollard Photography website can be found by clicking here (page opens in a new window) and the MEDIA page is worth a visit to see what others think of this website. How about telling me what YOU think. Click here to send me an email and tell me your views on the site.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush, Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and The Somerset Village Book by The Somerset Federation of Women's Institute.
6th November 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COMBE St NICHOLAS, and the final page for AMIENS in FRANCE in GALLERY 2 is now available for your viewing pleasure.
Less than 3 miles south of Buckland St Mary (last week's update) is Combe St Nicholas. Soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066 the manor was given to the bishop of Wells, and in 1234 Bishop Jocelin used it to endow the office of Catherdral provost and to generate the saleries of 15 prebendaries in Wells. In consequence the name Combe features more prominently than any other on the backs of the seats in Wells Chapter House.
The last page for Amiens continues the close look of the magnificent interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The THE BIG PICTURE of a scene in Lower Slaughter in the Cotswold's is still there to view and download.
In 3d news this years edition of the Guinness Book of World Records features more than 20 anaglyph photographs and includes a pair of anaglyph glasses. A good christmas present for the world record breaking 3d enthusiast in your home.
After much thought I have decided to retire the blog. Three websites that require regular updating is taking up too much time. So now the 3d news will be shown on this website and the other photography news will feature on the Alan Woollard Photography website that you can find by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
30th October 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BUCKLAND St MARY, and the 5th page for AMIENS in FRANCE in GALLERY 2 is now active.
Buckland St Mary lies on the eastern end of the Blackdown Hills, it's name meaning that it was land 'granted by charter' with the suffix of the local church added sometime later. The village centre is based around the large Victorian church of St Mary and, opposite, the old school, that is still in use today. I can recommend a visit to the church to inspect it's unusual decor, though an arranged visit is suggested as the church is locked when not in use.
On the penultimate page for Amiens we continue a close look at the marvelous interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
This week see's a new entry for THE BIG PICTURE for you to study and download should you wish. It is of a scene in Lower Slaughter in the Cotswold's.
There is more information on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
23rd October 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WITHYDITCH, and the 4th page for AMIENS in FRANCE in GALLERY 2 is now available for viewing.
Withyditch Baptist Chapel has been a place of prayer since 1839. Now, along with the nearby Schoolroom, the buildings belong to the Withyditch Chapel Centre, available for hire (See the village page for a link). They stand in a beautiful location overlooking the quiet Cam Valley with the Chapel used once a month for services. In 2004 an old lamp with the legend 'Come to Jesus', which used to hang outside the chapel, was found beneath the staging inside the building; it now hangs in Radstock Museum.
This weeks' Amiens update takes a closer look at the magnificent cathedral, both inside and out.
Click here for 'THE BIG PICTURE', showing a scene from Wellow, available as a download for only one more week.
There is more information on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Source: The internet.
16th October 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SOUTH PETHERTON, and the third page for AMIENS in FRANCE in GALLERY 2 is now active.
South Petherton was a favourite place of Ina, King of Wessex. He devoted himself to enlarging his kingdom, as well as to religion and the law, and had a residence in the town, with the probable site later becoming known as 'Ina's Palace'. The town was also the resting place of Sir Giles Daubeney, a descendant of William the Conquerer's standard bearer, who was one time Lord of the manor.
I have added some books on Amiens in the Somerset 3d book store. Please click here to peruse and to have a look at the other books on sale.
Click here for 'THE BIG PICTURE', showing a scene from Wellow, available as a download for two more weeks.
There is more information on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Source: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird.
9th October 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SOUTHSTOKE, the second page for AMIENS in FRANCE in GALLERY 2.
Southstoke is a small village just south of the Georgian city of Bath and is built mainly on a hillside. It is said that two former maids of Queen Victoria lived at the village Priory, and were the first of her servants to be pensioned. In the 1940's cannon balls, believed to be relics from the Civil War, were unearthed in the garden of Brewery House, formerly the home of Hunt & Waintwrights Brewery. There is a passage giving right of way, to church and cottages, running right through the bar of the local public house, The Packhorse Inn.
Don't forget that 'THE BIG PICTURE', showing a scene from Wellow, is still available as a download for the next three weeks.
Frank Matthys has produced two more 3d books to add to the Bruges in 3d book previously mentioned. The new books are of Ypres in France and Leuven in Belgium. Click here to visit his website and please remember to mention Somerset3d if you intend to order copies.
Please feel free to send me an email telling me what you think of the site. It's always interesting to find out what you think of the pictures, your favourite village, if you use the Woolly Anaglyph Maker, or just to say hi! You can email me by clicking here.
There is more information on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
2nd October 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CARLINGCOTT, the first page of six for AMIENS in FRANCE in GALLERY 2 and a 'HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY' TO SOMERSET3D.
Carlingcott is invisible to entries in any of my Somerset village books. What information I can find is limited to basic location details on estate agents websites. My impression of the village was one of quietness and solitude. There was plenty of evidence that restoration work was in process on numerous buildings and so one hopes the character of this peaceful place will be maintained for a few more years to come.
Amiens is a city in northern France, 120 km north of Paris, and has been the scene of many historic moments, such as... it was at the gates of Amiens that Saint Martin of Tours, at the time still a Roman soldier, shared his cloak with a naked beggar. Signed in 1802, the Peace of Amiens marked the end of the French Revolutionary War. The Battle of Amiens, 8 August-3 September 1918, is often seen as the turning point on the Western Front in WWI. During World War II, on 18 February 1944, Nazi-occupied Amiens was the site of Operation Jericho, a British operation which freed 258 people by bombing Amiens prison.
It's October again and that means one thing, it's the website anniversary, 3 years old this month! 3 years of anaglyphs and 3 years of presenting a different Somerset village every week, to you, my faithful viewers. Although anaglyphs are a bit of a specialized interest, and anaglyphs of Somerset villages even more specialized, the people interested in both appear to be growing, as the last 12 months has seen more than double the amount of visitors to this website, compared to the previous year (To give you the figures, 91133 unique visits for year 2 & 189589 for year 3). I find that extremely rewarding. Thank you.
As part of the anniversary celebrations this week is the start of a monthly feature called 'THE BIG PICTURE'. Once a month I will post a full size picture for you to enjoy and download. The first entry of the following month will see another picture take it's place. There will be no archive. The resolution will vary, depending upon what cameras were used to record the original images, but the largest available picture of the subject chosen will be posted. The first picture featured is from the village of Wellow, and can be found by clicking here. I hope you enjoy.
As ever there is more information is on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Sources: This photographer and Wikipedia.
25th September 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COMBE HAY, and the final page of the new anaglyphs for BRUGES in BELGIUM is now active in GALLERY 2.
Combe Hay is a tiny village that has the traditional manor house, church and village inn nestling amongst old houses and cottages built with the warm coloured stone associated with the Cotswold's. This is because Combe Hay is a Somerset village based within the Cotswold's. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Cotswold's. cover an area 40km (25 miles) wide and 145km (90miles) long and primarily feature in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire whilst also featuring in four further counties, Somerset, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
Frank Matthys has been in touch re the feature I have planned on him and his Bruges in 3d book. He has been very busy of late but is committed to answering my questions and providing some sample pictures as soon as things become quieter. In the mean-time you are able to purchase the Bruges in 3d book by Frank Matthys by clicking here. Please mention Somerset3d when ordering. Franks' website, FOTOF 3D PHOTOGRAPHY, can be found by clicking here.
As mentioned above there is more information is on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
18th September 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - PRISTON, and the third page of the new anaglyphs for BRUGES in BELGIUM has been added in GALLERY 2.
In around 930ad King Athelstan gave Priston manor to the Monastery of Bath. 500 years later the dissolution of the Monasteries led to the ownership of the manor passing on to the Longs of Whaddon in Wiltshire. In the early 1700’s the estate was sold to Lord Chedworth and Simon, Earl of Harcourt. In 1756 the Manor was sold on to William Jenkins, who went on to start the first coal mining at Priston in 1764/65. Priston manor was eventually sold to the Ingle family in 1936.
Page three of the four page update contains an image not normally associated with a place like Bruges. Fans of science fiction visiting the city will be pleased to learn that there is a shop catering to your tastes. It's not all lace, chocolates & waffles in Bruges you know. Don't forget that you can purchase the Bruges in 3d book by Frank Matthys by clicking here. Please mention Somerset3d when ordering. Franks' website, FOTOF 3D PHOTOGRAPHY, can be found by clicking here.
As ever there is more information on the blog and my other photography website can be found by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Source: The Priston Web.
11th September 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HOLWELL, and the second page of the new anaglyphs for BRUGES in BELGIUM in GALLERY 2.
The hamlet of Holwell is dominated by Colemans Quarry. Indeed, if you don’t make the effort to stop and explore you wouldn’t think there was anything but a quarry and a pub at Holwell. Quarrying activity has taken place at Colemans for well over 100 years and was initially operated commercially by the Coleman family. It currently operates as Bardon Aggregates, a subsidiary of Aggregate Industries. Lead, zinc and manganese ores have been worked (particularly in the west and central Mendip regions) since Roman times and commercially in the more recent period. The quarry comprises a number of pits that are divided by the main highway, the A361, and the local road network.
Contact has been made with Frank Matthys, the photographer and publisher of the Bruges in 3d book, as mentioned in last weeks blog, and a full review, including a small Q&A with the man himself, will appear here soon. In the meantime I can tell you that the book will cost €24 plus p&p. At the moment the ordering page on Frank's website is only in Dutch. There will soon be a French, German and English version though so please be patient. If your Dutch is good then you can order the book by clicking here. Please mention Somerset3d when ordering. Franks' website, FOTOF 3D PHOTOGRAPHY, can be found by clicking here.
As mentioned above there is more information is on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Source: Geodiversity Audit of Active Aggregate Quarries (PDF document).
4th September 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - DUNKERTON, and the first of four new pages for BRUGES in BELGIUM in GALLERY 2.
In the 18th and 19th century Dunkerton was surrounded by several coal mines on the Somerset coalfield. Evidence remains in the powderhouse which dates from 1870 and is a grade II listed building. The mine was the site of riots in 1908-9 about the working conditions in the Dunkerton Pit. Parts of the Ealing comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt were filmed at the disused Dunkerton Colliery. The All Saints' Church dates from the 14th century and is also a grade II listed building.
I have tidied up the Bruges entry to create 4 pages out of the original one. This should help the page load quicker and enable easier navigation. It also enables me to add additional pages more easily. The new pictures will mostly show areas of Bruges I had not previously visited. The first new page starts on page 5. The link above will take you straight there. Please visit the BLOG for some 3d news about BRUGES.
There is another entry on the MEDIA page. Thanks to the good people at DISNEY-LINKS for their review.
As mentioned above there is more information is on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
28th August 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CREECH St MICHAEL.
There is more information is on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
21st August 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HEMINGTON.
As usual there is more information is on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
14th August 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CHARD.
Chard, the ‘Birthplace of Powered Flight’. At every approach to Chard this can be read on the welcoming signs. It was here in June 1848, that John Stringfellow (1790-1883) first flew a heavier than air steam powered aircraft with a 10ft wingspan down the length of a former lace mill. He was to go on to demonstrate his models at the Crystal Palace in London in 1868. Other Chard worthies include James Gillingham (c.1840-1924), shoemaker and pioneer developer of artificial limbs, and Margaret Bondfield (1873-1953), daughter of a local lace-worker, who in 1929 became Britain’s first woman cabinet minister and Privy Councillor.
I have updated the MEDIA page to include a link to the BBC Somerset feature for the website back in February this year. Click here to go straight to the BBC article.
More information is on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
7th August 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - NEMPNETT THRUBWELL and VENTNOR completes the ISLE OF WIGHT special.
Ventnor was promoted as a Spa town in the 1830’s and its distinguished visitors have included a young Winston Churchill and an elderly Karl Marx. The town's Botanical Gardens is the home of some 10,000 plants; amongst them are many rare and exotic trees, shrubs, alpines, perennials, succulents and conifers.
More information is on the blog (including some free wallpapers) and you can visit my other (recently updated) photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Sources: The Avon Village Book by the Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes and the Isle of Wight Village Book by the Isle of Wight Federation of Women’s Institutes.
31st July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STAPLE FITZPAINE, and COWES is the penultimate entry for the ISLE OF WIGHT special. WESTON-SUPER-MARE is also featured.
Separated by the River Medina and linked by a chain ferry, the Isle of Wight's most northerly towns of Cowes and East Cowes are steeped in maritime heritage. Cowes is a Mecca for yachtsmen and hosts many national and international events. During the sailing season the waterfront is a kaleidoscope of colourful sails, whose focal point is the Royal Yacht Squadron. East Cowes is the terminus of the car and passenger ferry from Southampton. The town has its own small shopping centre, lively marina and seafront promenade. It is also home to Queen Victoria's magnificent Osborne House.
Many of you will be aware of the huge inferno that destroyed the historic Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare on Monday (28th July). It was a very sad day for the locals and, of course, for the owners. The speed at which the blaze caught hold of, and destroyed the structure was amazing. The BBC report on the day of the tragedy can be viewed by clicking here. For this week's update I thought it would be correct to update the Weston-super-Mare page to include all the 3d's I had of the Pier. I'm sure you will join me in wishing the owners, brother and sister Michelle and Kerry Michael, well with their plans to rebuild this popular building.
More information is on the blog and you can visit my other photography website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush, Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and the Isle of Wight Tourist Information office . Buy Somerset Books.
24th July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LULLINGTON, and the second of two pages for BEMBRIDGE in the ISLE OF WIGHT.
The Mortons were on of the influential families who settled in Bembridge over 130 years ago. The family were instrumental in bringing the railway to the town, and in establishing a horse boat to bring over horses and carriages, and a passenger steamboat service to Portsmouth. The last train ran from Brading to Bembridge in October 1953, and modern flats now occupy the site of the railway station.
As usual more information is on the blog and you can visit my normal 2d website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush, Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and the Isle of Wight Village Book by the Isle of Wight Federation of Women’s Institutes. Buy Somerset Books.
17th July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SEAVINGTON St MICHAEL, and the first of two pages for BEMBRIDGE in the ISLE OF WIGHT continues the island special.
In 1338 William Russell, Lord of Yaverland, bridged the River Yar at Yarbridge to prevent his manor being cut off from the village of Brading. The peninsula area was then referred to as ‘Within Bridge’, corrupted to ‘Binbridge’, and finally ‘Bembridge’. The village remained for years as a scanty collection of huts and farm-houses, until in the early 19th century; wealthy people began to settle in the area.
More information is on the blog and you can visit my normal 2d website by clicking here (page opens in a new window).
There is a new entry on the MEDIA page from the excellent SWELL3D website, in the form of a very satisfying review. Thank you Sean.
Please visit the Somerset 3d book store if you wish to purchase books on any of the places featured on this website.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and the Isle of Wight Village Book by the Isle of Wight Federation of Women’s Institutes. Buy Somerset Books.
10th July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WELLOW, and CULVER CLIFF is the second featured place in the ISLE OF WIGHT special.
The sweeping views atop of Culver Cliff (or Culver Down) are well worth the coastal walk from Sandown or Bembridge. On top of the hill is an early Victorian Fort, built as a military vantage point for the defence of Sandown Bay and Spithead from invasion. Between the fort and the sea is a coastal and anti-aircraft battery from the Second World War, built for the same purpose.
More information is on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page, click here to visit (Page opens in a new window).
For those of you who don't visit the blog I can inform you here that I have just launched another photography website, for my normal 2d pictures. If you are interested then please visit the blog for more details or click here to go straight to the new site (Page will open in a new window).
I have also made it much easier for you to buy books or DVD's on the places I have visited. If you visit the Somerset 3d book store you will see categories covering nearly all of the places I have been to so far. So, all the hard work has been done for you. All you have to do is choose which one to buy. Happy browsing.
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute and The Hidden Places of Dorset, Hampshire & The Isle of Wight by David Gerrard. Buy Somerset Books.
3rd July 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LAVERTON, with the town of SANDOWN kicking off the ISLE OF WIGHT special.
Sandown is the island's premier resort with a lively town and a Blue Flag beach. The town also host the island’s zoo which specializes in breeding severely endangered exotic species and is home to the UK’s largest variety of Royal Bengal, Siberian and Chinese tigers. The zoo is also a World Health Organisation centre for venomous snakes, their venom extracted for use in snake bite antidotes.
More information is on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page, click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Source: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and The Hidden Places of Dorset, Hampshire & The Isle of Wight by David Gerrard. Buy Somerset Books.
26th June 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HATCH BEAUCHAMP and the final page for St OMER is now online.
Last week my local newspaper did a small feature on this website, please visit the MEDIA page should you wish to have a look.
As ever more on what I've been up to is on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page, click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
19th June 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COXLEY and the second page for St OMER is now available for viewing .
More information on what I've been up to on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page, click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute. Buy Somerset Books.
12th June 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STOKE SUB HAMDON and the first of three pages for St OMER in FRANCE.
St Omer has been a major trading town for more than 1,000 years. The old market square gradually became too small to accommodate all the traders and a larger market square was created in the 13th century, and this is still used today. Along the main thoroughfares that link the market squares to the old port can be found majestic rows of classical facades from the 18th & 19th centuries. One of the major highlights of the town is the magnificent cathedral, the Basilica of Notre-Dame. It is the only large Gothic church to be seen in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and is well worth a visit.
Thank you for your patience whilst I was doing the housework on the website yesterday evening. The end result was well worth it from my point of view and more details as to what I did and why I had to do it are on the blog.
Another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page so click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird, Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and the St Omer Tourist Board. Buy Somerset Books.
5th June 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HINTON CHARTERHOUSE.
IMPORTANT NEWS - THIS WEDNESDAY (11th June) I WILL BE DOING SOME WEBSITE HOUSEKEEPING AND, AS A CONSEQUENCE, PARTS OF THE WEBSITE MAY NOT BE ACCESSABLE DURING THIS TIME. I WILL ATTEMP TO KEEP THE DISRUPTION TO A MINIMUM. Thank you for your support.
More information on the blog and yet another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
29th May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ASHILL.
The manor at Ashill descended from the de Vaux family to the Moultons, Sir Thomas Moulton securing in 1317 the grant of a Wednesday market and two three-day fairs here. Thereafter the estate passed in turn to the Stretche and Beauchamp families and on to the Spekes. The church of The Virgin Mary has Norman doorways and a fine Norman chancel arch. The church contains two effigies. One female identified as Lady Maud de Moulton (died 1293) and the other male, a Knight said to be of Sir John Stretche (died 1390).
More information on the blog and yet another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
22nd May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WINCANTON and the last instalment for GENT is now available to view.
Like most Somerset towns Wincanton subsited on cloth manufacture, specializing in the early 18th century in making Spanish medley cloth and later linen, dowlas and ticking. Nathaniel Ireson (1686-1769) moved here circa 1726, having built Stourhead to Colin Campbell’s designs, but became a succesful architect in his own right. A local bed of clay provided him with the raw material for brick making and for his Delft pottery (dated pieces 1737-48) that are now very collectable. His striking monument in the churchyard bears a terracotta statue which he is believed to have sculpted himself.
More information on the blog and yet another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
15th May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WOOLVERTON (link now fixed) and the penultimate page for GENT is now ready for viewing.
Woolverton is situated on the west bank of the river Frome, opposite Rode. The manor was included under Rode in the Domesday Book but for most of the Middle Ages was held by the Turney family until until it was acquired by the Hungerfords of Farleigh in the 16th century.
More information on the blog and yet another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
8th May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HORSINGTON and the second page for GENT is now available for viewing.
Horsington, meaning ‘the settlement of the horse keeper’, is tucked away off the A357. The church of St John the Baptist has a 15th century west tower but otherwise was completely rebuilt in 1885-87. Inside the church is a 15th century font with angels’ heads and monuments to the Gifford, Spencer, Dodington and Wickham families. The Wickhams were rectors here from 1686 until 1897.
There is more information on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
1st May 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CURRY MALLET and also the first of four pages for GENT in BELGIUM.
Curry Mallet is almost entirely owned by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, as one of his Duchy of Cornwall estates. The Prince frequently visits the tenant farms of the village. Every year in early January the medieval service of Blessing the Plough is still held. The farmers bring the seed corn to be blessed and the farm workers and various tradesmen bring their tools of trade and process to the altar, followed by the plough which is carried in. The ancient plough is kept permanently in the church.
Gent is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and became in the Middle Ages one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe. Every year a ten day long street festival is held called the Ghent Fests. In 2007 it saw 1.5 million people flock to its streets. Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its center is the largest carfree area in Belgium.
There is much more information about this week's update on the blog and another Zummerzet word is explained on the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute and Wikipedia. Buy Somerset Books.
24th April 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CUCKLINGTON.
The village of Cucklington is situated on a ridge above the Blackmoor Vale and commands magnificent views across Somerset and Dorset. The church of St Lawrence is mostly 13th century and contains a medieval window depicting the head of St Barbara.
Go to the blog for more information and yet another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
17th April 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - UPHILL.
Early 19th century quarrying in Uphill exposed evidence of very early occupation, with flint tools and animal bones found in a small cave indicating habitation 40,000 years ago. The oldest building to survive the ravages of time stands defiantly on the hilltop. The old Church of St Nicholas, built just after the Norman Conquest of 1066, may be on the site of an earlier Saxon church. The roof was partially removed in 1864 and with the building of the new St Nicholas Church in a more accessible part of the village; 'Old Nick' fell into disuse and is now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. The writer Hannah More, a friend of the social reformer William Wilberforce, stayed some time in the village and the poet William Lisle Bowles was the son of a former rector.
Yet more information from France on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
10th April 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BURRINGTON.
BURRINGTON is situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills, and contains the hamlet of Langford. In the side of the hills is a rocky ravine called Burrington Combe. The rocks in some places being 250 feet high. Two remarkable caverns exist here, each of which, when discovered, contained a large number of human skeletons. It is here that we can also find the ‘Rock of Ages’. In about 1775 the curate of Blagdon, Augustus Toplady, was passing through the gorge when he was surprised by a violent storm and was forced to take shelter in a cleft of a rock. While he was there he passed the time by composing a hymn, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.
More information from France on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
3rd April 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ISLE ABBOTTS.
Isle Abbotts takes its name from the river Isle. The second part of its name derives from its ownership by Muchelney Abbey from Saxon times until the dissolution of the abbey in 1538. The church of St Mary the Virgin at the eastern end of the village is a magnificent building into which the Muchelney monks ploughed considerable resources.
There is important news on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
27th March 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - MILBORNE PORT.
Milborne Port is in a corner of Somerset that is surrounded on three sides by its neighbouring county of Dorset, to that end it also has a Dorset postal code. The suffix of Port is from the Saxon word for town or market. There is a 'Cotswolds' feel to the place with a golden yellow hue to many of its buildings. The parish church of St John is thought to be the oldest in Somerset and contains Norman and Saxon arches.
As ever there are more details on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute and Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
20th March 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BLEADON and more pictures added at MILTON CLEVEDON.
In Bleadon, in 1997, there was a skeleton found during an archaeological excavation near Whitegare Farm. The excavations were the cause of planning permission being sought for a proposed building development. An investigation was launched resulting in the skeleton, by now called the Bleadon Man, believed to belong to a farmer who was about 50 years old when he died, over 2000 years ago. DNA testing confirmed that four people living in the surrounding area were related to this Iron Age man. Visit the Parish Council web site for more information by clicking on the link below.
Milton Clevedon is a village and civil parish 1 mile south of Evercreech. An early Iron-Age earthwork, probably a stock enclosure but known as the Castle, occupies a spur of Creech Hill overlooking the Alham valley. The site includes a possible barrow on the west. The Church of St. James was rebuilt in 1790 and is a grade II listed building.
More details on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' web page. Click here to visit (page opens in a new window).
Sources: Bleadon Parish Council web site and Wikipedia. Buy Somerset Books.
13th March 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LOXTON.
In the Domesday book Loxton is entered as Lochestone, meaning, the river Lox enclosure. The village has been populated since Norman times. Old mine-workings on the hills, indicate that at one time mining was abundant, probably for calamine, lead, copper and more recently yellow ochre. The Parish Church of St Andrew dates from the 11th century and is a grade II listed building.
More details on the blog and another word is explained in the 'Speakin' Zummerzet' feature below.
Sources: Somerset Place Names by Stephen Robinson and Wikipedia. Buy Somerset Books.
*** ‘Speakin Zummerzet’ ***
Each week a word commonly used in the county is explained, along with it's meaning and examples of its use.
This week’s word is ‘Gurt’, meaning ‘Great', but only as in size (Great big) rather than stature (Great Britain).
Commonly used in phrases such as;
"Ere, e's a gurt big young'n inner?" = "Hey, He's great big youngster isn't he?"
and "I 'ad a gurt big dollop of the stuff" = "I had a great big serving of the stuff". A 'Dollop' is a term used to describe one serving of anything, food, medicine, lubricant etc.
As you can see Gurt is followed by big, so in effect they are one and the same. We wouldn't say Gurt on it's own. it would always be 'Gurt big'.
From next week, to keep things tidy, this feature will have it's own page with a link from the News page to it.
6th March 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CURRY RIVEL and the third and last page of the TETBURY feature is now available to view .
Curry Rival is named after the Revel family who were Lords of the Manor in the 12th Century. However, the meaning behind the first part of the village name, Celtic in origin, remains an unsolved mystery. Inside the church of St Andrew is the famous Jennings Memorial of the two brothers in Trooper uniforms with their wives and children kneeling around them. The brothers are Robert and Marmaduke Jennings who died in 1625 and 1630 respectively and lived and farmed at Burton Farm.
As usual there are more details on this weeks' update on the blog and a NEW feature which can be found below.
AND NOW FOR THE START OF A NEW WEEKLY FEATURE:
*** ‘Speakin Zummerzet’ ***
As people travel and relocate the old words and dialects are gradually changing and being lost. So ‘Speakin Zummerzet’ is an attempt to redress the balance. Each week I’ll introduce a word commonly used in the county and it’s meaning, along with an example of its use.
This week’s word is ‘inner’, meaning ‘isn’t he/it.
Commonly used in phrases such as;
“E’s a brite spark inner?” = “He’s very clever isn’t he?”
and “E’s a bit spensive inner?” = “It’s a bit expensive isn’t it?”
As you can see ‘E’ can mean He or It and the ‘er’ bit of ‘inner’ can refer to He/She or It.
Another thing to remember when speaking Zummerzet is that we rarely finish a word or pronounce the consonants at the end of words.
So the ‘t’ in ‘brite’ is almost silent.
I’ll leave it to you to explain to your friends why you’ve started speaking strangely.
28th February 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COMPTON BISHOP and the second of three pages for TETBURY in the Cotswolds.
Compton Bishop lies in a cleft in the Mendips below Crook peak (called Ridges Tor in 1068 and used as a beacon site in the 1580’s). The estate of Compton was owned by the Bishops of Winchester until 904 when it was surrendered to King Edward the Elder. The nearby Webbington Hotel & Leisure Club was converted and extended from Webbington House, built in 1908 by Herman Alexander Tiarks.
There are more details on this weeks' update on the blog along with a request for local viewers to help this website.
21st February 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - EAST WOODLANDS and the first of three pages for TETBURY in the Cotswolds in GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
East Woodlands is situated on the edge of the Longleat Estate, adjacent to woods and fields. There is very little there, aside from the church and the Horse & Groom public house. There is something quite idylic about the place though.
The Market Hall in Tetbury was built in 1655 and is considerred one of the finest of its type in the Cotswolds. Tetbury is also home to the Prince of Wales at Highgrove, which was built in the last few years of the 18th century. Tetbury is the largest town in the area that is correctly termed as the Southwolds.
I am aware of a number of new visitors to this website following the feature on BBC Somerset last week (Click here to visit). Welcome to Somerset3d. I hope you enjoy touring around the county and visiting places that you may not have heard about before. Please feel free to drop me a line (click here to email me) should you wish to comment or ask questions about the website.
There are more details on the blog with what I'm up to along with more information about this weeks updates.
14th February 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CROSS.
Cross is a hamlet which, until the 1840’s, was of considerable importance as a coach stop for changing horses on the main road between Bristol and Exeter. The hamlet is now bypassed by the straightening of the main road.
BBC Somerset requested a selection of my 3D pictures to feature on their website. They have already put them to good use by creating a slideshow that you can view by clicking here.
Just a reminder that you can download the WoollyAnaglyph Maker by clicking here.
More information on the blog.
7th February 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LOVINGTON.
Lovington is a small lias-stone village west of Castle Cary and between the rivers Brue and Cary. Charity Farm was acquired in 1743 by the Wells Archdeaconry Charity for widows and children of deceased clergy.
You can download the WoollyAnaglyph Maker by clicking here.
Visit the blog for more information.
31st January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - PYLLE.
The name Pylle (pronounced pill) means creek or haven. Centuries ago, when central Somerset was under water, and Glastonbury an island, the first settlement here was on the shoreline. The original village has disappeared, probably wiped out by the Black Death plague. One half of the village (shown in the photographs) is still based around the village pond, including the church; the other half is a mile east on the Fosse Way. The village hall used to be the school and records of 1875 state that the schoolmaster complained that his 58 pupils were distracted from their lessons by the passing traffic, except when the windows frosted over. Numbers dropped so much that in 1958, with only 14 pupils, the school closed.
Late news. You can now download the custom made WoollyAnaglyph Maker free of charge by clicking here. There is also a link at the top of the page and you can also access it by going to the FAQ's and clicking on the link HOW CAN I MAKE ANAGLYPHS?
A BIG thanks to a good friend, Phil Hand, for putting the work in for me and coming up with, what I think is, the best anaglyph maker on the net.
More information available on the blog.
24th January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - CATCOTT and STOW-ON-THE-WOLD in GLOUCESTERSHIRE is now available in GALLERY 2.
Catcott sits on the northern slopes of the Polden Hills and is on the course of an ancient trackway dating to almost 3,000 BC. Catcott Heath, only 10ft above sea level, is an area of outstanding botanical interest and is closely watched over by Conservation groups. A headless man, said to be the Duke of Monmouth, haunts a house in the village, where Monmouth is reputed to have stayed just before the Battle of Sedgemoor.
All the roads in Gloucestershire seem to lead to Stow-on-the-Wold. It's market received the Royal Grant in 1107. The stocks are still displayed on the green and many visitors have gone home with photographs of their friends and family 'locked' in them. It is one of the highest towns in the Cotswolds and is an excellent example of true Cotswold life.
More information available on the blog.
Sources: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and The Gloucestershire Village Book by the Gloucestershire Federation of Women's Institues. Buy Somerset Books.
17th January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - ALFORD and the COTSWOLD MOTOR MUSEUM on the BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER page is now available to view in GALLERY 2.
North of the main part of Alford village lies the un-restored Perpendicular church of All Saints, its west tower crowned with a little pyramid roof. Looking east from the church affords a view of Alford House, built by John Thring (died 1834) and subsequently the home of his many descendants including the Preb Godfrey Thring (died 1903) hymn writer and builder of Hornblotten church and Rear Admiral George Thring (died 2001).
More information available on the blog.
10th January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WATCHET and BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER in GLOUCESTERSHIRE in GALLERY 2.
Watchet is an appealing small town & port with narrow winding streets, an attractive series of small shops and several old inns. The former Market House has housed the Museum since 1979 with displays illustrating the town's past. This is the harbour from which Coleridge’s ill-fated Ancient Mariner set sail, ‘below the kirk, below the hill’: a poem which tradition claims was begun in the Bell inn in Market Street. Watchet was the most important seaport in Saxon Somerset with Viking raids recorded in 917, 987-8 and 997. Legend has it that Lady Florence Wyndham, who had died and been buried with valuable jewels and rings on her fingers, came back to life when a greedy sexton opened her coffin and tried to file a ring from her finger. The sexton fled, the Lady arose from her grave and walked back to her home.
Most of the old houses in Bourton-on-the-Water were built of local stone during the 16th & 17th centuries.The oldest public house is the Old New inn which has a sundial marked 1712. The pub gardens are the home of the model village (See link on the village page). The bridges for which 'The Venice of the Cotswold' has become famous were built between the 17th & 20th centuries. The village is also home to the Cotswold Motor Museum which, in turn, is the home of Brum.
More information available on the blog.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush
and The Gloucestershire Village Book by the Gloucestershire Federation of Women's Institues. Buy Somerset Books.
3rd January 2008
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WEST QUANTOXHEAD.
West Quantoxhead stands between the sea and the head of the Quantock hills, as its name suggests. The little village that stood here was progressively demolished in the early part of the 19th century. The manor-house of St Audries was held by the Cauntelo family in the 13th century and then, for 350 years, until 1736, by the Malet family. In 1835 it was bought by the triple barrelled Sir Peregrine Fuller-Palmer-Acland for his daughter Isabel (or Isabella) and her husband, Sir Alexander Acland-Hood.
More information available on the blog.
27th December 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COLFORD.
Coal was worked at Coleford from medieval times and continued until the closure of the last pit in 1927. Newbury House was occupied by the Moore family until 1760, when their heiress married in to the Paget family. At the west end of the village lies the remains of an aqueduct, built to carry the Somerset & Dorset Canal, a project abandoned around 1800.
Visit the blog for some Christmas cheer and nonsense.
I hope you all have a fun and joyful new year.
20th December 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - MOORLINCH and WINCHESTER in HAMPSHIRE added in GALLERY 2.
Moorlinch is situated on the Polden Hills. Its name is thought to mean ‘Pleasant hill’ from the Saxon myrge and hlinc. The church of St Mary stands on an elevated site with superb views to the south over the levels.
Winchester was formerly the capital of England, during the 10th and early 11th centuries, and before that the capital of Wessex. Winchester Cathedral, the second longest cathedral in Europe, was originally built in 1079. and is the place of interment of numerous Bishops of Winchester (such as William of Wykeham), Anglo-Saxon monarchs (such as Egbert of Wessex) and later monarchs such as King Canute and William Rufus, as well as Jane Austen. This information is taken directly from the WIKIPEDIA entry for the city and for more information and live links I recommend that you visit the website to read the piece in full. You can do so by clicking here.
This week's blog will give you more information on my trip to Winchester and some thoughts for the coming week.
Happy Christmas to one and all.
13th December 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - AXBRIDGE.
Axbridge stands at the foot of the Mendip Hills and the name suggests that it was founded to control a crossing of the river Axe. On the west side of the Square, the former market place, stands a three storey merchant’s house known as King John’s Hunting Lodge. Dating from the late 15th century it served as the King’s Head Inn by 1645 until the mid 18th century but has no known connection with King John. Rescued by the National Trust it now hosts the local museum.
Don't forget that the blog will give you more information about what I'm up to and give you a chance to leave comments .
6th December 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STOGUMBER and the last instalment of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Stogumber lies between the Quantocks and the Brendon Hills. Three rebels from the Taunton area were hanged in the village in 1685 after the Monmouth Rebellion. Stogumber Brewery was established around 1840 by George Elers and it’s Medicinal Pale Ale, produced with waters from the nearby Harry Hill’s well, earned a widespread reputation. Brewing ceased around 1910 with the buildings demolished in 1973.
This is the last week of Monaco pictures, I hope you enjoyed them. Keep an eye on the blog for news of future specials.
29th November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BLACKFORD and the penultimate page of the MONACO special is now available for your viewing pleasure.
This Blackford is the one situated on the levels near to Wedmore rather than the one near to Wincanton. The Holy Trinity Church was built in 1826 as a chapel of ease, to save the people the long walk into Wedmore.
As you can see I couldn't find out much about Blackford. Do you know more? Do you live in Blackford and know of something about the village that you think others would find interesting? Well now you can share the information via the blog. Just click on the comments link and you can leave your information for all to see.
Source: The Somerset Larders website. Buy Somerset Books.
22nd November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - COTHELSTONE and the eighth page of the MONACO special is now ready for viewing.
Cothelstone sits on the south western slopes of the Quantock Hills. There isn't a village as such: only the old manor house, church, farm and a few cottages. Its name means ‘Cuthwulf’s settlement’. The original manor house was the home of the Stawell family. Sir John Stawell was one of King Charles I most loyal supporters and raised a small army, at his own expense, with weapons reputedly stored in the church tower at Bishops Lydeard. He was to pay dearly for his principles, being imprisoned, tried wrongfully for treason and murder and locked in the Tower of London from 1650. His home was partially demolished, his forests were cut down and his land sold. He died in 1662, shortly after the Restoration, and Charles II conferred the title Baron Stawell on his son Ralph in 1683.
Click here for the blog for further information on what I'm up to and for you to make comments about Somerset3d.
15th November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - LEIGH-UPON-MENDIP and the seventh page of the MONACO special is now ready for viewing.
Leigh (pronounced as Lye) -on-Mendip stands 700 feet up in the heart of the Mendip Hills. In 1857 the parson, G. A. Mahon, was shot by a villager when in the pulpit of the 15th century church of St Giles. The villager in question being upset by the vicar’s criticism of drunkenness. Fortunately Mr Mahon was only slightly injured but his assailant was imprisoned for two years.
Don't forget to check out the blog for further information. It's still early days for it at the moment but I do intend to use it to supply you with extra information about Somerset, this website, and my activities as the weeks go by.
8th November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - HAWKRIDGE and the sixth instalment of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Hawkridge clings to the hillside above a tributary of the River Barle. It was one of the two locations for the annual Swainmote Courts, which regulated the moor. This was held in the local churchyard. Today the annual high spot is the Hawkridge Revel, held on August Bank Holiday at Zeal Farm. Hawkridge still has one person whose business is carving items from deer antlers. The ‘Antler Man’ at Hawkridge is worth a visit, to see what can be produced from antlers found in the forest.
BREAKING NEWS: I have just started a blog that will compliment this web site. It will provide information on the latest updates and up and coming projects relating to the web site and my photography in general. It will also be an easy way for you to leave comments about the site, ask questions and find out more about me. You can find it by clicking here.
1st November 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - BISHOPS LYDEARD, more pictures added at STRATTON-ON-THE-FOSSE and the fifth instalment of the MONACO special is now ready for viewing.
Bishops Lydeard is a trim village of stone and thatched cottages and is situated in the Vale of Taunton. The almshouses date from 1616 and have been restored but still retain their mullioned windows. The West Somerset Railway, Britain’s longest privately preserved railway, operates between the village and Minehead.
Stratton-on-the-Fosse is situated on the Roman Fosse Way between Radstock and Shepton Mallet. Its church, dedicated to St Vigor, is one of just two in Britain to honour the 6th century saint (The other is in Fulborne, near Cambridge) who was much revered by the Romans. He was the Bishop of Bayeux from AD 513-537. The main attraction in the village is Downside Abbey. The Benedictines originated in Douai in Flanders in 1607, came to England in 1795 and acquired the Downside estate in 1814. New buildings were added as the famous school grew to become one of the leading Catholic schools in the country.
25th October 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - STREET and the fourth page of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Street is famous for its connection to the shoe industry most notably via the Quaker family of Clark. A major tannery was founded around 1810 by Arthur Clothier, who took as his apprentice (and from 1821, partner) Cyrus Clark. In 1825 Cyrus set up his own business producing sheepskin rugs, taking his brother James as an apprentice. James introduced the manufacture of woollen slippers called Brown Petersburgs, and later boots and welted shoes. The first factory building was put up in 1829 and thus C. & J. Clark was born. Today the company is still family owned and with the Clarks Shopping Village, the first purpose-built outlet shopping village in the UK, attracting around three million visitors a year, their future looks to continue for many years to come.
18th October 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SPAXTON and the third installment of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Spaxton’s name derives from a Scandinavian settler who gave his name to ‘Spak’s tun’ long before the conquest of 1066. In the village stands the house and former chapel of the Agapemone – The Abode of Love, founded in 1846 by the Rev Henry James Prince. The unfrocked curate of Carlinch, who had publicly declared himself in Weymouth Assembly Rooms as the ‘Son of Man and immortal’. Addressed as ‘Beloved’ by his followers he gathered around him a host of besotted women, his ‘Soul Brides’, and fleeced them of their fortunes to support his luxurious life style. In 1856 to the strains of organ music he deflowered a young virgin before the altar in the presence of a congregation, which included his own wife and the girl’s mother. Prince claimed that the Devil was responsible for the resulting child. The farce continued long after the ‘immortal’ Prince died (in 1899) with the commune eventually being dissolved in 1958 and the buildings sold.
11th October 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SHAPWICK , more pictures have been added at ILMINSTER and the second installment of the MONACO special is now available for viewing.
Shapwick rests on the northern slopes of the Polden Hills. It was once a stopover point for pilgrims on their way to and from Glastonbury Abbey. One such pilgrim was St Indractus. Returning to Ireland with his sister after a pilgrimage to Rome. They were spotted by servants of King Ina whilst they were paying homage at St Patrick’s tomb at the Abbey. The servants mistook their brass-topped staffs for rods of gold and their sacks of seeds for bags of booty. They were followed and murdered at Shapwick and their bodies were thrown into a pit. It is said that a heavenly light shone over the pit for 3 days and nights, and when the King learned of the atrocity he had them buried at Glastonbury.
Ilminster was devastated by a fire; it is claimed, in 1491. An event only recorded by Collinson in 1791. The fire of 1661 that destroyed nearly 30 houses in the town is better authenticated. In 1680, on his progress through the west, the Duke of Monmouth twice passed through the town. Charles Speke shook the Dukes hand in the market place during another visit in 1865, an event that was to cost him his life after Judge Jeffrey’s Bloody Assizes. At least 57 Ilminster men joined the rebellion although of the 12 later hanged, drawn and quartered in the market place, only Charles Speke came from the town.
4th October 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SIMONSBATH and the first installment of the MONACO special.
Simonsbath is the most westerly village in Somerset. It is attractively situated in a well wooded combe and is a haven for anyone who enjoys the unspoilt countryside. In 1858 the small village was the scene of a tragic murder. William Burgess killed his little daughter Anne because he could not afford the 2s 6d (12.5 pence or about 18 Euro Cents) a week for her lodging. The body was only found after the abandoned shaft of a nearby copper mine was drained.
This week see's the first of a 10 week (Yes TEN week!) special on MONACO. Regular visitors to this web site will know that my lovely wife recently showed me around her one-time hometown. These pictures are the result of that visit. I hope you enjoy them.
It’s October and that means it’s our 2nd anniversary. I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all of you for continuing to help make running this web site worthwhile. The site continues to gain in popularity with more than double the amount of visitors compared with this time last year (5181 hits for November 2006 - 10854 hits for November 2007 – source www.1&1.com). Plans for the coming year are to release a book of Somerset in 3d and to include more features into the site. News about these will appear in the NEWS section on the INFO page as soon as they are ready. Again, thank you for your support.
27th September 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - DULCOTE and the final installment of this month's DISNEYLAND PARIS special.
The name Dulcote has existed for at least a thousand years. The name appears in an Anglo-Saxon charter, dated May 1065, which transfers this land with other areas around Wells from King Edward The Confessor to the Bishop of Wells. In the latter part of the 17th century and for the next 200 years paper was manufactured in the village. The paper was rag-based, made from discarded linen clothing. Dulcote fountain is said to be around 150 years old. It has been created from the overflow from the springs, which supplies water to the village. These natural springs have an average flow of 100,000 gallons (454,609 litres) per day. They are categorized as “petrified springs” because of the materials high concentration of calcium hydrogen carbonate dissolved in the water. The height of the fountain has increased over the years because the minerals have built up on the rock surface.
20th September 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - MARK and the third installment of this month's DISNEYLAND PARIS special.
The name Mark has been written many ways through the ages, including Mercern and Merkerun. The name means boundary home. The village is located on the edge of a flooded marsh and at the end of a higher ridge that runs through Mark, Blackford, Wedmore, Panborough and Wells: each of which were islets. The Pack Horse Inn was important to the wool merchants of the Mendip Hills who transported their wares through Mark on their way to the ports at Highbridge and of the Bristol Channel. They stopped at the inn to change horses, and to pick up wool from the sheep grazing on the lowlands.
Source:The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Women's Institute. Buy Somerset Books.
13th September 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WITHYPOOL and the second installment of this month's DISNEYLAND PARIS special.
Withypool was the home of Walter Raymond, one of Somerset’s favourite writers who was born in Yeovil in 1852. From his cottage here he wrote of the crafts and characters that he knew and loved so well. The village is in a remote spot and it is said that there were four harvests a year – snow, frost, rain and muck. During the 14th century, English author Geoffrey Chaucer was in charge of the village in his duties as forrester of North Petherton. The presence of Bronze Age man is marked by a 120ft stone circle on Withypool Hill.
I'm looking for information on Blackford. This is the Blackford situated near Wedmore rather than the one near Wincanton. If any of you can supply me with anything interesting about the village then please email me. Thank you.
Sources: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush. Buy Somerset Books.
6th September 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - SOUTH BREWHAM and the first installment of this month's DISNEYLAND PARIS special.
South Brewham was held, in 1066, by one of Edward the Confessor’s favourites, Robert, son of Wimarc the Staller. After the Conquest the manor and the church were granted to William de Mohun of Dunster (after clicking on the link scroll down to the heading ' MANORS AND OTHER ESTATES' for information on William and Robert). The church of St John the Baptist holds a brass signed by Wincanton bellfounder William Cockey, one of very few autographed brasses in Somerset.
As promised, this weeks update includes the first of four instalments for Disneyland Paris. Because of the way anaglyphs work I had to get rid of the colour red that was in the pictures. I did this by either replacing the red with another colour, usually blue, or by reducing the saturation of the red to a softer colour that wouldn't be as troublesome to the eye. So if you were there in June, wearing red and think that you may be in the picture, look for blue or a pastel red instead and you may be lucky.
Source: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush. Buy Somerset Books.
30th August 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WINSFORD. (update - link fixed)
For many Winsford is the prettiest village on Exmoor, it derives it's name from the ford over the Win Brook. Winsford's most famous inhabitant is Ernest Bevin. Born here in 1881 he became a Member of Parliament and, after the Second World War, Foreign Secretary. The church was renovated in the 15th century but retains some of it's Norman features.
Throughout September, I will be featuring 3d images of DISNEYLAND PARIS following a family holiday there in June. The resort is celebrating it's 15th Anniversary this year.
Sources:The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Womens Institute. Buy Somerset Books.
23rd August 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - FARLEIGH HUNGERFORD.
Farleigh Hungerford is pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Frome. The name Farleigh is thought to have been derived from ‘fair meadows’. Until 1347 the village was in the possession of the Montfort family and their name was added as a suffix. After many other owners the Hungerford family took ownership and changed the suffix to Hungerford. Sir Thomas Hungerford, First Speaker of the House of Commons, rebuilt the manor house in substantial fortified style. His son, the first Lord Hungerford, improved and expanded the estate, claiming the village church as a private family chapel in the process. Another church was built in the 15th century for the villagers. The Hungerfords served under Henry V at Agincourt and occupied prestigious positions in the reign of Henry VI. In 1822 a Roman villa with fine tessellated floors was discovered here.
I'm really sorry about the late update this week. My lovely wife had planned a surprise four day break in Monte-Carlo and we didn't get back until really late last night. It was to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, she also wanted to show me where she used to live. Needless to say I took the opportunity to take some 3d pictures for you to view at a later date. Have a good weekend.
Sources: Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird and Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush. Buy Somerset Books.
16th August 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - WEST COMPTON and more pictures added at LANGPORT.
West Compton is one of those hidden places that you will not find without looking. A ‘Compton’ was originally ‘a valley enclosure’ and its meaning was later broadened to a medium size but somewhat valuable possession.
There was a mint at Langport from circa 930 until the 11th century and the place formed one of the Saxon forts mentioned in the early 10th century Burghal Hidage. Royal charters were granted in 1563, which confirmed a Saturday market and established three fairs. The town was a significant trading centre from Saxon times, relying on river traffic up the Parrett from Bridgewater. In the 18th century a trading company was founded by George Stuckey and Thomas Bagehot, with wharves on the Parrett by the Great Bow Bridge. By 1866 the firm owned 14 East Indiamen and 19 barges and later developed into the Somerset Trading Company. The company spawned Stuckey’s Bank which absorbed 13 other banks, mainly in Somerset, before itself being taken over in 1909. At that time Stuckey’s had a banknote circulation second only to the Bank of England. Water-borne trade decreased with the arrival of the railway in 1853. The Hanging Chapel (Shown in picture 6) that stands above an arch across a road probably dates from the 15th century and was apparently used for illegal Catholic masses in Edward VI’s reign. Referred to as the Hawninge Chapel in 1575 it served successively as the town hall (1596-1600), Langport Grammar School (1706-1790), a militia arms store (1809-1816), a Sunday school (1818-1827), a museum (1834-1875) and to house the local Freemasons’ Lodge (1891 to date). In the grounds of the church of All Saints is the grave of Langports most celebrated son, the world-famous economist Walter Bagehot (1826-1877). In the Civil War the town was garrisoned for the King in 1643. In 1645 the Royalists were defeated at the Battle of Langport. Three Monmouth rebels were executed here in 1685.
Another web site has been recently launched with an aim to help promote the lesser known town & villages and their events. Here is their mission statement taken from their site:
hiddensomerset.com is a website designed to share the 'bits the others can't reach' (to acknowledge a well known old advert). This website opens up an enormous variety of little known gems across the county, where you are most unlikely ever to meet a coach load of tourists. Explore Somerset's more interesting historic, geographical and cultural features, the things which make our county so special and unique.
It is a good compliment to this web site I think. Click here to visit and don't forget to bookmark it in your favourites.
Sources: Somerset Place Names by Stephen Robinson and Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush. Buy Somerset Books.
9th August 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - TARR STEPS.
Tarr Steps spans the river Barle in Exmoor, and is one of the finest clapper bridges in the country. At 180ft long with 17 spans, its date has been the subject of much debate. In the early 1900’s it was thought to have been built sometime in the Bronze Age, but today it is considered to be of medieval origin.
Sources:Sources: Somerset & Avon by Robert Dunning and Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush. Buy Somerset Books.
2nd August 2007
NEW LOCATION ADDED - FOSTER YEOMAN and more photos added at WHATLEY. I have also fixed the BALTONSBOROUGH page. Thank you to those who brought it to my attention.
Although not a village, I felt that Foster Yeoman’s Torr Works quarry and Merehead railway sidings ought to have its own entry. This is where I work, at Mendip Rail Ltd, and so have access to the views shown in the photographs. The premises are not open to the public but visits can be arranged. Have a look at their web site for further details. I have linked the Marston House page to this one, as it is where the main offices are based for the company. The Foster Yeoman company was bought out by Holcim late in 2006. For more information about Foster Yeoman click here.
There has been a settlement at Whatley at least since Roman times. In AD 940 the manor was granted by King Edmund to the monks of Glastonbury. Now Whatley is a small village, dominated by the tower of the Norman church of St George. To the north of the village is the Hanson owned limestone quarry.
Sources:Sources: The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Womens Institute and Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
26th July 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - TRUDOXHILL.
Trudoxhill is noted for its early Congregational chapel, set beside the road at the bottom of the village, with an adjoining graveyard. It began as a home for Richard Newport and his wife and was converted into a chapel in 1717. After many years of decay it has recently been restored and is back in use as a chapel.
The name means ‘the tree on the dark hill’ from the Old English ‘treow’ (tree), ‘dox’ (dark) and ‘hyll’ (hill).
Sources: Somerset & Avon by Robert Dunning and Somerset Place Names by Stephen Robinson. Buy Somerset Books.
19th July 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - OTHERY and more pictures added at EAST COKER.
Othery formed part of the Saxon estate of Sowi, held by Glastonbury Abbey until the dissolution of 1539. Its low lying lands were progressively drained by the monks. In 1317 Matthew de Clevedon, Lord of Aller, with a gang of 13 other men, broke down the abbey’s banks in the village and flooded 1,000 acres of crops for two years. Nearby is Pathe House, built circa 1800, the birthplace of the Victorian hero of Rorke’s Drift, Colonel J.R.M. Chard, VC.
The buccaneer, explorer and hydrographer William Dampier hails from East Coker. He was born in a cottage known as Hymerford House in 1651. He was the navigator aboard the ship that rescued Alexander Selkirk, the castaway on whom Daniel Defoe based Robinson Crusoe. William went on to circumnavigate the world three time, was the first explorer to explore the north-west coast of Australia and had a strait and an archipelago named after him.
Sources: Somerset The Complete Guide by Robin Bush and The Book of Somerset Villages by Sheila Bird. Buy Somerset Books.
12th July 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - WITHAM FRIARY.
Witham Friary was one of the earliest institutions of the Carthusian Order founded in this country. It was formed by King Henry II in 1181 in part expiation for the murder of Archbishop Thomas à Becket. The first monks came from the south of France and found both the place and the people hostile.
5th July 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - CHELWOOD and pictures of THE COTSWOLD SHOW of 2005 in GLOUCESTERSHIRE added to the
CIRENCESTER page.
Meaning ‘the hill farm’ Chelwood is one of the Thankful Villages in Somerset. A phrase associated with Arthur Mee in the 1930’s referring to villages whose men and women all returned safely from the First World War.
This years Cotswold Fair starts this saturday (7th July). There are plenty of things to see and do, well worth a visit. Their official web site will tell you more. Fingers crossed that the weather will be good.
I've added a few films to the book store. HOT FUZZ is a recent release and was shot mainly in the city of Wells in Somerset. The same location was used for the BBC's period production of HE KNEW HE WAS RIGHT and there are also scenes set in Mells. There are also three GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL films to peruse. Happy shopping.
26th June 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - TEMPLE CLOUD.
Most place names with ‘Temple’ relate to the Knights Templars, a religious military order whos original purpose was to protect pilgrims en route to the Holy Land. In the 14th century the order was suppressed on the command of Pope Clement V. the charge was heresy and the many estates held by the Templars were confiscated with terrifying vigour and appalling greed. The name ‘Cloud’ is thought to be the personal name Cloda.
As you can see it's an early update this week as I'm in France for a short break. I was in Vivegnis, Belgium, at the weekend with my family for the wedding of Michael Valle Rolland to Lara Jochems. Our best wishes go out to them. Next weeks update will be on Thursday as normal.
21st June 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - TYTHERINGTON.
Tytherington means ‘The tithing enclosure’ from the Old English teopian and tun. A tithing was a grant made by 10 householders living near together and bound over as sureties for each other’s peaceable behaviour.
Upcoming updates are Temple Cloud, Chelwood and Witham Friary. As you can see from above information is scarce on some locations so any information you have will be most appreciated. You can email me by clicking here.
14th June 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - COMPTON DANDO and more pictures added at WEST COKER.
There is a piece of Bath in Compton Dando. Built in the north east buttress of the chancel is a piece of Roman sculpture, a figure of Jupiter, and now recognised as part of the great alter from the Temple in Bath.
West Coker had a long tradition of growing hemp and flax for sailcloth manufacture, supplying Bridport as early as 1356. The village still possess the 19th century buildings of the West of England Twine Works and ‘Coker Canvas’ was highly prized by naval captains during the Napoleonic wars.
7th June 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - CHELYNCH.
Chelynch means ‘The hill ridge’ from the Old English ceol (hill) and hlinc (ridge). It is a small but attractive location on the edge of Doulting. The local pub, The Poacher's Pocket, frequently has events such as art displays & cider festivals. Nearby, is the quarry where the cream coloured stone that built Wells Cathedral came from.
Pictures from this web site have been featured in KNUTTZ.NET. This is an image based blog web site that is updated daily with a selection of photographs and links to interest everyone. Click on the name above to see for yourself.
31st May 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - PUBLOW.
Publow anciently belonged to the St Loes of Newton, and later came into the hands of the Hungerfords along with Compton Dando. The manor having many owners Henry Hastings (Third Earl Becher (c1517-1570)), Sir John Popham, Sir Francis Popham.
It is close to the route of the ancient Wansdyke. The name Publow is believed to mean 'The public meadow' from the Latin publicus and the Old English leah.
The impression left by my visit is that the land around Publow and the surrounding villages is abundant with water. It seems that, whatever direction you take, you are not far away from the sound of a stream or river rushing over exposed rocks. Because of this, it is a very green place. Lush fields and meadows crisscrossed by streams and rivers with narrow bridges built over them.
24th May 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - HORNBLOTTON.
The name Hornblotton means ‘The trumpeter’s enclosure’ from the Old English ‘hornblawere’ and ‘tun’. One idea as to the origin of the name is that horns were blown at this location to let people know that the surrounding levels (prone to flooding) were safe to cross, another is that the Saxon lord may have been given it in return for leading the King’s hunt. The church of St Peter stands at the end of a country lane. Completed in 1874, to the designs of Sir T. G. Jackson, by the wealthy rector Preb Godfrey Thring. The interior is decorated using a technique known as sgraffito. Two layers of different colour plaster are laid on the walls and then the top layer is carved to reveal the layer below. It is probably the only church interior of its kind in the country. In the tower Thring placed an electric striking clock, the first of its kind when installed in 1883. In 1984 the clock mechanism was removed to the Science Museum in London for restoration and exhibition.
Some of the above information has been taken from the web site of one time Hornblotton resident Phil Merryman. Click here to visit Phil’s site and click on the link for Hornblotton for more information on the village. Thanks to Phil for permission to use some of his material.
Publow, Chelynch and Compton Dando are forthcoming updates. Any information you'd like to share on these locations is most appreciated. You can email me by clicking here and remember to put the village name in the subject box and don't forget to name your sources.
17th May 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - MARKSBURY.
The entry for Marksbury in the Domesday Book shows the village listed as Mercesberie, meaning ‘The boundary near the fortified hill’. The hill in question is Stantonbury in Wansdyke. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is believed to be late 12th Century in origin but mainly from the 15th century. The tower is dated 1634.
Finding information about the villages can sometimes be difficult. Not every village or hamlet has a recorded past that's easy to find and I sometimes end up entering very little, as shown above. Next weeks update will be the village of HORNBLOTTON and if any viewers can provide me with any interesting information on the village, not forgetting to provide the source, I will gladly add it. Click here to email me. Please put HORNBLOTTON INFO in the subject box. Thank you.
Don't forget to check out the Somerset Books page.
10th May 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - WOOLLARD.
With my surname matching the village name of Woollard I always wanted to find a connection to the place. Perhaps some long ago relative once owned it, or held a manor there & I’d discover that, for centuries, the locals had been searching in vain for the rightful owner. Alas, it was not to be. Where as the village name means ‘The wool yard’ from the Old English wull and geard, the surname has a different meaning. There are two possible origins, both of which are Anglo-Saxon. The first possible source is from the Old English pre 7th Century personal name "Wulfweard", composed of the elements "wulf", wolf and "weard", meaning guardian, protector. The given name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Wluuard" and "Vluuard", and was still used in its Middle English form of "Wol(f)ward" up until the 13th Century. The second origin for the modern surname, found as Wool(l)ard, Woolatt, Wollard, Woolward, Wolfarth, Wolford, Wolforth, Woolford(e) and Woolfoot, is from the locational surname "Wolford", deriving from the place so called in Warwickshire. I prefer to accept the first version.
3rd May 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - LOPEN.
Lopen, meaning ‘The infested enclosure’ from the Old English loppe and tun, was held by the Knights Templar from the early 13th Century and then by the Knights Hospitaller. The small church of All Saints dates from the 14th & 15th centuries and was much restored in the 19th century. From the 18th century the parish was noted for flax growing and for the production of linen, sailcloth and twine.
I have now signed up with Amazon. This will enable you to buy the books which I mention directly from this web site. I do get a small commission from each book sale and I'm hoping, with your help, that this will assist me in providing some of the running costs for this project. You can visit the page advertising the books by clicking here or by clicking on 'Buy Somerset Books' which will be highlighted after the list of books used for resources below. At the moment many of the books are advertised without an image of the book cover. I will be rectifying this over the next few weeks. Many thanks for your continued support.
26th April 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - HUNSTRETE and more pictures added at MONTACUTE.
In 936 Hunstrete was given to Glastonbury Abbey who held it for the next 600 years. The monks didn’t live here but managed the estate, principally for its timber, leasing the land and manor house to tenants. Fish were also farmed in a chain of six ponds that were situated to the north of the present lake. The abbey lost control of the village during the Reformation and it passed through the hands of various owners until the beginning of the 17th century when it was acquired by Sir John Popham, who was Lord Chief Justice to Queen Elizabeth 1st. As Lord Chief Justice he presided at the trials of Mary Queen of Scots, Sir Walter Raleigh and Guy Fawkes. The Pophams were to hold Hunstrete for the next 350 years.
The pointed hill (in Latin Mons Acutus) to the west of the village gives Montacute its name. Since 1760 it has been topped by a tower, built by the Phelips family. Sir Edward Phelips (died 1614) was responsible for the building of Montacute House (acquired by the National Trust in 1931s) and in his time he became the Master of the Rolls and the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Sources: Hunstrete House web site, The Somerset Village Book by Somerset Federation of Womens Institute & Somerset The Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
19th April 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - KINGSTONE and CALAIS in FRANCE added in GALLERY 2.
In 940 King Edmund gave Kingstone to St Dunstan, the Abbot of Glastonbury. It then passed on to the Count of Mortain after the Norman Conquest. The Arundell family, later held the village from 1461 to 1663, before the Poulett family took control in 1663 to 1941.
Calais has long been an entry point for English travellers but relationships between Calais and England have not always been peaceful. The Calaisien pirates proved themselves a little too exuberant in their attacks against British merchant ships. On the 4th September 1346 Edward III laid siege on the town. Eleven months later, starving and abandoned by their king, the Calaisiens could not hold out much longer. So the Governor, Jean de Vienne, sent a message to Edward III telling him of his decision to surrender the town if everyone was granted a pardon. The King agreed on the condition that six of the most respected burghers, barefooted and with a noose around their necks, bring the keys of the town and the castle to him and beg for his mercy. When the inhabitants were informed of the conditions Eustache de Saint-Pierre, one of the richest businessmen, came forward and stated that he was ready to die for common good and to give himself up to the English. Another five burgers immediately followed his example. When the six hostages gave themselves up the Kings wife, Philipinne was so moved by pity that she intervened and obtained a pardon for the victims. A statue of the burgers, sculpted by Auguste Rodin, stands in front of the town hall.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and Les Amis Du Vieux Calais, Calais Tourist Office.
12th April 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - STANTON PRIOR .
Stanton Prior is one of the seven Thankful Villages in Somerset. They were so named by Arthur Mee in the 1930’s. It refers to those villages whose men and women all returned safely from the First World War. Subsequently there are usually no war memorials in these villages but most of them have a stone or plaque of dedication in the local church as a way of giving thanks for their good fortune.
5th April 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - CRICKET MALHERBIE and more pictures added at HASELBURY PLUCKNETT.
Cricket Malherbie was called Crucet, or Cruchet, at the time of the 1086 Domesday Book, meaning ‘Little Hill’ from the Old English ‘Cric’. The attachment of Malherbie comes from the Malherbie family who took on the manor from the Montague family in the early 13th century. Further owners have included the lords Dinham, in the early 15th century, and Pitt, from the 17th to 20th centuries. The old Manor was succeeded by the present Cricket Court, built for Admiral Pitt circa 1820. Recent occupiers include the writer & historian Count Nikolai Tolstoy.
Haselbury means ‘Hazel Tree Hill’ or ‘Hazel Grove’ and Plucknett is a corruption of Alan de Plugenet, its medieval owner. It was one of the few manors that remained with its Saxon owner, Thane Brismar, after the Norman Conquest. St Wulfric, a hermit and former priest, took up residence in a cell in the church in 1125. He developed a widespread reputation for prophecy, second sight and healing and was visited by nobles, including Henry I, whose death he predicted, King Stephen and St Bernard of Clairvaux.
29th March 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - PENSFORD.
Pensford was once a busy market town and woollen cloth manufacture was formerly carried out here. It was also an important staging post for stage coaches during the 17th & 18th centuries. The village contains many listed buildings, including the church of St Thomas A Beckett and the magnificent 95ft tall viaduct. Both buildings were closed due to flood damage after the River Chew burst its banks in 1968.
Sources: Genuki web site and Wikipedia.
22nd March 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - HINTON St GEORGE and SHAFTESBURY in DORSET added in GALLERY 2.
Hinton St George has been home to the Poulett family since the 15th century. The Duke of Monmouth came here during his 1685 Rebellion, and Elizabeth Parcet touched him for the Kings Evil. In the church of St George there are many effigies of the Poulett (or Paulet) family including Sir Hugh Poulett (died 1573), governor of the isle of Jersey and his son Sir Amias Poulett (died 1588), gaoler of Mary, Queen of Scots.
The height of the land at Shaftesbury has been the determining factor in its history. The Saxons first established a hilltop settlement here, keen on it’s strategic position. King Alfred defended the town for the same reason in the 9th century. It was because he was so sure of its geographical position that he founded the Abbey here for his daughter, Ethelgiva, in 888.
15th March 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - DOWLISH WAKE and more pictures added at NORTON St PHILIP.
Dowlish Wake is a picture-book village formerly called East Dowlish. Its present suffix comes from the family of Ralph Wake, lord of the manor in the 12th century, ancestor in turn to the Kaynes and Speke families. In the church of St Andrew is the tomb of John Hanning Speke (died 15th September 1864), the explorer who discovered the source of the Nile. Dr Livingston was in attendance at his funeral. The last Union Flag to fly in Ginga, Uganda, was sent to hang in the church at the time of their independence in 1962.
Norton St Philip is a former clothing village, its name meaning ‘the northern settlement, or enclosure’ with the addition of the parish church’s dedication. It was long known as Philips Norton. Inside the church, under the tower, stands an effigy of the two heads of the ‘fair maids of Foxcote’. These are reputed to have been Siamese twins, joined at the stomach, and were noted by Samuel Pepys when he visited Norton in 1668.
8th March 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - SHEPTON BEAUCHAMP.
Shepton Beauchamp (pronounced ‘Beecham’) is almost unique in that it has an old Fives court wall, only seven of which are left in Somerset. The original game was said to have been first played against church walls but, to protect them, individual Fives walls were built. The name of Beauchamp derives from the family that held the manor from the mid 12th century until the death of John De Beauchamp in 1361.
Source: The Somerset Village Book by the Somerset Federation Of Womens Institute.
1st March 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - MIDSOMER NORTON and pictures of St JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH in CIRENCESTER, GLOUCESTER added in GALLERY 2.
A pleasant mixture of old and new Midsomer Norton’s excellent shopping facilities blend attractively with its Georgian houses, 12th century Priory House and late Medieval Tithe barn. The latter an imposing building which was converted into a Roman Catholic church in the early 20th century.
Often called ‘the Cathedral of the Cotswolds’, St John the Baptist church is one of the largest and most elegant Medieval churches in the county. It is notable for its numerous chapels. The Trinity chapel is the largest but the Lady Chapel has the most elaborate tomb, that of Humfry Bridges and his wife. The recumbent effigies were sculpted by local craftsman Samuel Baldwin.
Sources: The Hidden places of Somerset and the web site Britain Express.
22nd February 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - KINGSBURY EPISCOPI and more pictures added at EAST QUANTOXHEAD.
Kingsbury Episcopi translates as Kings Hill of the Bishop. This was one of the holdings of Giso, the last Saxon Bishop of Wells. He had owned this land before 1066 and retained it until his death in 1089. The village is situated on the edge of the moors or wetlands, a wonderful expanse of winding droves, withy beds and patchwork fields, a conservationist’s dream in plant and wildlife.
East Quantoxhead forms a triangle running from its low cliffs on the shore up to a point at Black Ball Hill on the Quantock Hills. Many Bronze-Age burials, mostly on the high ground, testify to a prehistoric settlement. This is also the parish where the mouth painter Sarah Biffin was born in 1784.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush, Somerset Place Names by Stephen Robinson and The Somerset Village Book by the Somerset Federation Of Womens Institute.
15th February 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - WESTBURY-SUB-MENDIP and BEG-MEIL in FRANCE added in GALLERY 2.
Westbury-sub-Mendip is a village that is stretched out along the road from Cheddar to Wells (A371) and rises up the green Mendip slope. Excavations in a quarry face above the village revealed worked flints assigned to the Middle Pleistocene period (c 500,000 bc), claimed by some as the earliest evidence of Man in Britain.
The shores of Beg-meil caress the Atlantic ocean on the southern coast of Brittany. Situated just over 3 miles (5km) from Fouesnant it was formally a fashion resort.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and Wonderful Finistere by Michel Renouard & Daniel Mingant .
8th February 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - CREWKERNE and STOURHEAD in WILTSHIRE added in GALLERY 2.
There was a Saxon mint at Crewkerne in the early 11th century, also a market by 1086 and a fair from the 1270’s. The town’s textile trade was rejuvenated in the 18th century when the availability of locally grown flax led to an expansion in the manufacture of sailcloth and canvas webbing. Among the many thousands of sails to be made here were those for HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Stourhead garden was created by Henry Hoare II (1705-85) in the 1740’s. The river Stour was dammed to form a great lake and around the lake, Hoare laid out a landscape garden to entrance his guests. He was only 19 when he inherited the family banking business and moved to Stourhead after his mothers’ death in 1741. Such was the accomplishment of this wondrous garden that Henry Hoare II became known as ‘Henry the Magnificent’. Today Stourhead is owned by the National Trust and is essentially the same as Henry II’s vision – a self-contained and timeless masterpiece.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and The Hidden Places of Somerset & The National Trust.
1st February 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - EAST CRANMORE and more pictures added at MULCHELNEY.
East Cranmore was inhabited earlier than west Cranmore. The Paget family were Lords of the Manor from the 1790’s until the 1950’s and resided at Cranmore Hall. Now, this grand building is the home of All Hallows School, a Roman Catholic preparatory boarding school that moved to its present home from Devon in 1946. In the hills behind the hall stands East Mendip Tower, now known as Cranmore Tower. Now a private residence it was built by John Moore Paget in 1863-65 to designs drawn up by Thomas Wyatt. During the 2nd World War both the Home Guard and the Armed Forces used the tower as an observation post. The Tower is not open to the public.
There is evidence, in the form of a charter that suggests Ine, King of Wessex Saxons 688-726, probably founded Mulchelney Abbey circa 693. History suggests that Danish raids caused much disruption leading to the Abbey being re-founded by King Athelstan (924-939). In 995 Ethelred the Unready confirmed the Manor of Ilminster to the Abbey, the original charter is now kept by the Somerset Records Office. Throughout the 16th century the Abbey was progressively demolished for building stone. In 1614 the Abbey was sold to Sir Edward Phelips of Montacute. After more changes of ownership English Heritage now administers the Abbey.
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by the Somerset Federation Of Womens institute & Somerset, the Complete Guide by Robin Bush.
25th January 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - STONEY STRATTON and GLOUCESTER in GLOUCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND added in GALLERY 2.
Stoney Stoke is a hamlet that has been established since the mid 11th century. Formerly called Stoke Holloway, it is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. At this time Robert, count of Mortain, owned it. Before a bypass was built in 1831 it was originally on a principle route. At various times between the early 1800’s and the mid 20th century it contained two public houses, a Smithy and a school for 30 children.
Gloucester Cathedral tower has dominated the city skyline for 550 years. The Cathedral has a permanent team of stone masons who constantly maintain and repair this ancient structure. The Cathedral Cloisters were featured as the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry in the Harry Potter films.
18th January 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - CHARLTON MACKRELL and more pictures added at KILVE. Also SHERBORNE in DORSET, ENGLAND added in GALLERY 2.
Charlton Mackrell, sometimes called West Charlton, is a farmers’ settlement. Roman villa sites have been found north-west of the parish and quarrying has also revealed Roman burials. It was also in this village that Henry Adams was married, in 1609, long before he left for the New World in 1636.
Kilve is situated on the coast at the northern end of the Quantock Hills. Between the car park and the beach stands a Grade II listed building that is a monument to a failed industry. It is an oil refining retort and in 1923 two companies were formed to exploit the oil found in the oil shale deposits along the north Somerset coast. Previous tests had suggested that there was over 200 million tons of oil shale with each ton producing 40 gallons of oil. In 1924 an experimental plant was built at Kilve only to discover that the oil yield was only 5-10 gallons per ton. The deeper mining that would be required to extract the better oil shale would prove to be disastrously uneconomical and so ended Somerset’s oil boom.
The Saxons named Sherborne Scir Burne, meaning ‘the place of the clear stream’. They also made it the capital of Wessex. Two of King Alfred’s elder brothers, King Ethelbert and King Ethelbald, are buried within the impressive abbey. The town is full of historic interest with 17th, 18th and 19th century architecture set in unspoilt streets.
11th January 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - STONEY STOKE and FOUESNANT in FRANCE added in GALLERY 2.
Stoney Stoke is a hamlet that has been established since the mid 11th century. Formerly called Stoke Holloway, it is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. At this time Robert, count of Mortain, owned it. Before a bypass was built in 1831 it was originally on a principle route. At various times between the early 1800’s and the mid 20th century it contained two public houses, a Smithy and a school for 30 children.
Fouesnant is located on the southern coast of Brittany, on the mouth of a small river, thus explaining the origin of the name (Foën – “Brook in the valley” – in Breton). It is famous for its cider and also known for its traditional headdress and costumes, which are still worn during festivals. The church was built in the 12th century and modified in the next. The War Memorial was designed by the Breton artist René Quivillic.
Sources: British History Online and Fanshop-Online.
4th January 2007
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - RADSTOCK and CIRENCESTER in GLOUCESTERSHIRE in ENGLAND added in GALLERY 2.
Once a Saxon settlement the Romans made Radstock a more significant place, now sitting on the Fosse Way, but it was during the industrial revolution, in the late 18th century, that Radstock’s importance became more apparent. With the demands of coal and coke to fuel the industry’s machinery Radstock was ideally placed, such so that the Somerset & Dorset and the Great Western Railway both established stations and marshalling yards in the town. In 1901 it was reported that the Radstock area employed nearly 5,500 miners and produced over 900,000 tons of coal.
Cirencester was an important settlement during Roman times. At this point it was the second largest town in England, after London. By 407AD the Romans had returned to their homeland and Cirencester ceased to be a town as people drifted away to the countryside. In 577 the Saxon invasion reached the south-west and Cirencester was captured, along with Gloucester and Bath. Still a village, a Saxon settlement was created near the Roman remains. As the Middle Ages progressed the town grew much larger, becoming a farming centre for the local area. In 1117 King Henry I founded an Abbey at Cirencester which, over the years, began to dominate the area. The town gradually grew rich on the back of the wool trade and, as prosperity increased, wealthy citizens gave money to expand the parish church and make it more ornate. The Abbey closed in 1539 and the building cannibalized. Today only a Norman arch remains.
26th December 2006
An early update this week as I'm off to France for a break. Next weeks update will depend on me being able to find an internet cafe that's open. So, fingers crossed. Have a good New Year everyone.
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - BARTON St DAVID and BLERIOT LA PLAGE in FRANCE added in GALLERY 2.
In 1636, Henry Adams, a local farmer, left Barton St David and emigrated to New England in America. The Adam’s family went on to propagate an illustrious line, literary and political, including the United States Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. There is a memorial plaque placed inside the village church of St David, erected by a descendant in 1926. The church has a perpendicular tower, the only one in Somerset which is octagonal from the ground.
Situated on the southern outskirts of Calais, Blériot is so named to commemorate the historic first crossing, by flight, of the English Channel. On July 19th 1909 Hubert Latham attempted a crossing only to ditch his plane into the channel after his engine failed. Six days later, at dawn, Louis Blériot prepared himself. Walking on crutches, due to a burn to his foot in an earlier incident, he gave his crew the signal to release his small wood and fabric aeroplane. After a clean take off he soon out paced his naval escort ship, Escopette, which carried his wife Alicia. Travelling at just over 40mph, at an altitude of 250ft, it was thirty six minutes after his departure that he finally placed his plane on English soil, near Dover Castle. His daring effort was rewarded with the prize of £1,000 from the London Daily Mail.
I hope you all have a super New Year's Eve and that 2007 brings all the things you wish for.
Source: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and Bleriot.com.
25th December 2006
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a big THANK YOU for visiting my site over the last 12 months. May your presents match your presence.
21st December 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - LYDFORD-ON-FOSSE and more pictures added at TINTINHULL, also WHITWELL on the ISLE OF WIGHT added in GALLERY 2.
The village of Lydford-on-Fosse straddles the ‘Fosse Way’, an ancient Roman road that once linked the cities of Exeter and Lincoln. It also marked the western frontier of Roman rule in Britain for the first few decades after the invasion in A.D.43. It is the only Roman road in the country that is still called by its original Latin name and is remarkable for its extremely direct route. From Lincoln to Ilchester, Somerset, a distance of 182 miles (293km), it is never more than 6 miles from a straight line. The word Fosse is derived from the Latin Fossa, meaning ditch.
The Hundred of Tintinhull came about when King Alfred divided the English counties into Hundreds. As was usual in Somerset the Saxons avoided the Roman roads when siting their villages, so that Tintinhull is attractively grouped around a triangular village green to the south-east of the old Fosse Way. Many of the houses are built of Hamstone, once quarried from nearby Ham Hill. St Margaret's church dates back to the early 13th century and the stone for repairs to the churchyard wall, in 1518, was taken from the ruins of Montacute Castle. In 1642 the church was raided by Roundhead troops, who contented themselves with taking two surplices which they cut up and handed out to the poor.
Whitwell takes its name from the White Well, a place of pilgrimage during medieval times. The well can still be seen down a track opposite the church. The church was built in two parts and was made one in the 16th century when the dividing wall was pulled down. The local pub, The White Horse Inn, claims to be the oldest on the island, with some of its walls dating back to the 15th century.
Sources: Wikipedia, Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush, The Somerset Village Book by the Somerset Federation of Women’s Institutes and the website Wight Stay.
14th December 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - HUISH EPISCOPI and LA MADDALENA in SARDINIA added in GALLERY 2.
By the end of the 12th century the Manor of Huish was controlled by the Bishop of Bath, providing the attachment of Episcopi (of the Bishop) to the village name. Huish is a Saxon word meaning household. Romano-British remains, including burials, coins and tesserae of the 3rd & 4th century have been periodically found nearby. The 15th century church tower was featured on a British postal stamp in 1972.
The town of La Maddalena is the largest settlement on the island of Maddalena, where the town gets its name. It contains a busy harbour and splendid 18th century buildings with wrought iron balconies. The island is one of seven, known collectively as Arcipelago Di La Maddalena. Maddalena and Caprera, the two largest, are connected by a narrow mobile bridge. Caprera was the last resting place of Giuseppe Garibaldi, his house now a museum dedicated to him. The islands were declared a national park in 1994 and can only be reached by boat, with regular ferries leaving Palau.
Sources: Somerset the Complete Guide by Robin Bush and the Somerset Village Book by the Somerset Federation of Women’s Institutes & Sardinia Pocket Guide.
7th December 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - BALTONSBOROUGH and more pictures added at DUNSTER, also MELKSHAM in WILTSHIRE added in GALLERY 2.
Meaning ‘Bealdhun’s Hill (or Barrow) Baltonsborough is considered to be the birthplace of St Dunstan. Born in 925 he became one of the greatest figures in the Anglo Saxon church. He rose to become Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey and then the Archbishop of Canterbury. The 15th century village church is dedicated to him. St Dunstan crowned King Edgar in Bath in 973 and devised the coronation service which has formed the basis for all subsequent English coronations.
At one time Dunster was a medieval port but the progressive silting up of the Avill estuary led to its abandonment, after the 17th century, in favour of Minehead. The octagonal Yarn Market was built by George Luttrell, then living in the family home of Dunster Castle, in 1609. On Graddist Hill, just above the village, Mrs Alexander composed the well known hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful.
There has been a settlement at Melksham since Saxon times, its name deriving from the old English word for milk, meoloc. As the area has a long association with pasture and dairy farming the name is rather appropriate. The earliest buildings to be found in the town are from the 17th century. In 1738 a leading clothier, Henry Coulthurst, had his house and mills wrecked by weavers during a dispute over wages. Troops were sent in to restore order and some of the rioters were tried with three being executed. There were further riots in 1747 & 1750 and Dragoons were sent to the town on each occasion to help keep order.
Sources: Somerset The Complete Guide by Robin Bush, Somerset Villages by Paul Newman and Wiltshire County Council.
30th November 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - VOBSTER, also WISSANT in FRANCE added in GALLERY 2.
Vobster is a small hamlet to the west of Mells and was probably founded to house clothworkers, as the earliest fulling mills were in their vicinity. Subsequently the area was dominated by quarries and colleries, all now disused. Vobster became a seperate parish to Mells in 1852.
Wissant is located on the coast 18.5km south of Calais in the Nord Pas-De Calais region of France. Because of it's close proximity to to England it has been used as a launching point for many an invasion. It is believed that the troops of Julius Caesar left from here for the first Roman invasion of England in 55BC. In 1738 a violent storm caused sand to cover 63 houses in the village in one night and another major storm in 1777 finished off what was left. Couragous locals took it on themselves to rebuild their homes behind where the old one had stood. It is this settlement that we see today. After the Napoleonic wars artists such as Turner, Manet and Boudin came to the area attracted by it's lanscape and light.
Sources: Somerset The Complete Guide by Robin Bush and www.ville-wissant.fr.
23rd November 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - SHEPTON MONTAGUE and more pictures added at CROSCOMBE & PORLOCK WEIR. Also NITON on the ISLE OF WIGHT added in GALLERY 2.
The name Shepton Montague, derives from it being a 'sheep settlement' (Shepton) and from it being held in 1086 by Drew de Montagu. During the Civil War in 1647, a Puritan clergyman was killed here by Cavaliers and a local man was shot dead on his doorstep by Roundheads two years later. The church of St Peter was gutted by fire in 1964. The restoration was completed in 1966. It includes a contribution by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of the Royal Arms that reside above the south door. This was to replace a 1672 hatchment that was destroyed.
In early Saxon times (AD 705), Croscombe was known as Correges Cumb and by 1309 as Corscombe. The name actually means 'The valley of the pass way'. A former weaving village, Croscombe contains many interesting relics of it's past, including old mills and a Medieval Squint bridge. The Parish church of The Virgin Mary is part 13th century. It has a tall spire, a rarity in Somerset. Inside, you will find a wonderful example of Jacobean dark oak fittings carved in a variety of heraldic and pastoral designs.
Now a small harbour, Porlock Weir was once an important sea port. The Danes sacked it on a number of occasions during the 10th century. In 1052 Harold, the future King of England, landed here from Ireland to begin a career that would end at the battle of Hastings. Offshore, lies the remains of a submerged forest which is a relic of the last ice age and can be glimpsed at low tide.
Niton is situated at the most southern point of the Isle of Wight and was once a thriving smugglers village. At the end of the 18th century Marconi was living on the island, he used Knowles Farm in Niton as a location for radio experiments. There is an engraved stone at the farm in commemorating his work there.
Sources: The Hidden Places Of Somerset, Somerset The Complete Guide by Robin Bush and Wikipedia.
16th November 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - PRESTON PLUCKNETT and MONCONTOUR in FRANCE in GALLERY 2.
Now swallowed up by the western suburbs of Yeovil, Preston Plucknett has one of the many handsome barns still to be seen in Somerset. Abbey Barn, attributed to John Stourton in the 15th century, was lovingly restored after the last World War.
Moncontour is a fortified medieval town in the Cotes d'Amor region of Brittany in France. Every year a medieval fete is held there on the third Sunday of August and is well worth a trip to see the whole town and it's locals enter into the spirit of the occasion. This information comes from a web site which has pictures of the event. Visit the site by clicking here.
Sources: Somerset - The Complete Guide by Robin Bush and www.pfv.dircon.co.uk./BCH-4B(Moncontour).
9th November 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - HEATHFIELD. This week I have also added A 3D TRIP TO THE TOR on the GLASTONBURY page along with pictures of SANTA TERESA in SARDINIA in GALLERY 2.
In 1166 the village was known as Heathfield Talbot, and later as Heathfield Durborough, after the family who were lords from the mid 14th century. The Manor House is now Manor Farm with it's origins dating from the 16th century. The tower of the church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, dates from the 13th century.
Glastonbury Tor, at 520ft high, offers fantastic views across the Somerset Levels, to the Mendips, the Quantocks and, on a clear day across to the Bristol Channel. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and excavations over the years has uncovered evidence of Celtic, Roman and pre-Saxon occupations.
Santa Teresa is a very colourful town and the most northern in Sardinia. The Corsican port of Bonifacio is but a short ferry ride across from here. Stone quarries were once located in the area and the building material for two columns of the Roman Pantheon, as well as portions of the Leaning Tower of Pisa was quarried at Capo Testa, 5km away from the town.
Sources: Somerset - The Complete Guide by Robin Bush, The Hidden Places of Somerset & Sardinia Pocket Guide.
2nd November 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - BUCKLAND DINHAM. Also CAP BLANC-NEZ in FRANCE added in GALLERY 2.
The name Dinham came from the aristocratic Dinan family and the Norman style church was built by Oliver de Dinan in the 12th century.
Across the road from the church is a Guard House, or Blind House, with a tiny barred port hole window. At one time, the lock up for disorderly people.
South of Calais is Cap Blanc-Nez, at 132mtrs it is the highest point on the French coast and, therefore, a wonderful vantage point to see across the English Channel to England.
Many military forces made use of this point over the centuries and the Germans were no exception during WW2. There are many ruined shelters & bunkers and an Obelisk left as evidence.
At one time, there was a memorial placed to commemorate the achievements of the Dover Patrol during WW1 but this was destroyed by the occupying forces during the second great war.
The chalk cliffs are also an important nesting place for the many varied wildlife.
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by the Somerset Federatiojn of Womens Institute, Wikipedia (German version) and Dover Kent England (www.doverpages.co.uk).
26th October 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - YATTON. Also MAASTRICHT in HOLLAND added in GALLERY 2.
Previously known as Jatune, Eaton and Yatton Blewitt, Yatton has developed over the centuries from a small farming village into a large bustling community. In 1828 the remains of a Roman sepulchre were discovered. In 1884 a mosaic pavement was unearthed on the same site and further digs went on to prove it was all part of a Roman villa with a boat house on the side. There was also evidence to suggest that there was a forge and furnace room within the complex.
The church of St Mary's was known as the Cathedral of the Moors. It is of Norman origin with the present building dating from the 1320's. A spire was added in the 1450's but the top half was removed in 1595 and never replaced.
Maastricht is derived from it's Latin name Trajectum Ad Mosam (Mosa-Crossing) and is situated either side of the river Meuse (Maas in Dutch). The name refers to the bridge built by the Romans under the reign of Augustus Caesar.
It was the first Dutch city to be liberated by Allied troops during WW2 on the 14th September 1944.
In 1992 the Maastricht Treaty was signed here, leading to the creation of the Euro.
Sources - Yatton Parish Council (www.yatton.net) and Wikipedia.
19th October 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - STOKE St MICHAEL. Also WEYMOUTH in ENGLAND added in GALLERY 2.
Stoke St Michael is a quiet village nestling between quarries and farms near the foot of the Mendip Hills. Formally known as Stockland and Stoke Lane.
In 1942 the 17th century village pub, The Knatchbull Arms, was the venue for the largest secret assembly of high ranking Officers and Generals in the history of the country. The dignitories included Lord Montgomery and Lord Wavell.
Weymouth has a long history going back to Roman times. In 1347 the port supplied ships and mariners for the siege of Calais in France, and in 1588 more ships were supplied, this time for the fight against the Spanish Armada.
In June 1628 the Abigail sailed from Weymouth carrying local man John Endicott to found another new colony in North America. On 6th September that same year they landed at Naumking (Salem) and from this grew the colony of Massachusetts. John Endicott went on to become the first govener of the colony.
Artist James Thornhill was born in Weymouth in 1675. His huge painting on the interior of the dome of St Pauls Cathedral in London is classed as one of it's glories. He was knighted in 1720.
Weymouth holds the proud record of hosting the Cutty Sark Tall Ships race on three seperate occasions. In 1983, 1987 and 1994. The only port in the world to have done so.
Sources: The Somerset Village Book by the Somerset Federatiojn of Womens Institute and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council web site. (www.weymouth.gov.uk).
12th October 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - PEN SELWOOD and more pictures added at BLAGDON. Also SAINTE-MARINE in FRANCE added in GALLERY 2.
Blagdon was the first village to be added back in October 2005. So I felt it would be fitting to include more pictures of the village for inclusion in this week's update.
Blagdon Lake was completed in 1899 and attracts water sports participants and anglers as well as a wide variety of waterfowl and other bird life.
Pen Selwood (or Penselwood) was known as Pen until the 19th century and is situated at the southern end of a wooden ridge that formed the core of the ancient forest of Selwood. King Edmund Ironside fought a Danish army there in 1016 and the area has been identified as the site of Conwealh's victory over the Britons in 658.
Sir Arthur Bliss (1891-1975), the composer, lived in the parish from 1935 to 1955 in a house named Pen Pits.
Sainte-Marine is located in the Finistere region of Brittany in France.
Sources: The Hidden Places of Somerset published by Travel Publishing Ltd and British History Online (www.british-history.ac.uk).
5th October 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - UBLEY and LOWER SLAUGHTER in GLOUCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND added in GALLERY 2.
One year ago this month, this web site was launched. The first version was placed online on the 2nd October 2005 and two weeks later this was replaced by the version you now see.
Since then, the site has grown considerably. I find it extremely rewarding to see that the number of people accessing the site has continued to increase throughout the year. Just to emphasize this, the first TWO months online amounted to a total of 479 unique visits (To find out what a unique visit is click here). Last month the site registered the grand total of 2900 visitors looking to check out the latest updates. Up to the end of September 2006, a total of 22,212 unique visits had been made from more than 47 different countries worldwide.
Thank you for continuing to visit the site each week.
Over the next few weeks, there will be more news on what future plans I have for the web site. So please keep coming back!
28th September 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - HOLCOMBE and more pictures added at BATCOMBE.
Also NEWPORT on the ISLE OF WIGHT, ENGLAND added in GALLERY 2.
21st September 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - KENN. Also VANNES in FRANCE added in GALLERY 2.
14th September 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - GODNEY. Also LYME REGIS in ENGLAND added in GALLERY 2.
7th September 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - STRATTON-ON-THE-FOSSE. Also YORK in ENGLAND added in GALLERY 2.
31st August 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - WIVELISCOMBE. Also BRUGES in BELGIUM added in GALLERY 2.
24th August 2006
NEW TOWN ADDED - ILMINSTER .
Regular visitors will have noticed that there is now a second gallery to view. This is for all non Somerset related 3d pictures. On my travels I always find the time to take 3d photographs and in GALLERY 2 you will find pictures from other counties in ENGLAND and pictures from other countries that I have visited.
This week I have added pictures of PALAU and PORTO RAFAEL in SARDINIA.
Over the coming weeks there will be more GALLERY 2 pictures added so keep checking the INFO page for updates.
17th August 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - FITZHEAD .
10th August 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - HALSE.
3rd August 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - FARRINGTON GURNEY.
27th July 2006
NEW TOWN ADDED - CLEVEDON and more pictures added at STOKE St GREGORY.
20th July 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - CHARLTON ADAM.
13th July 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - CHEWTON MENDIP.
Many thanks to all of you who sent congratulations messages. Sardinia is a wonderful place to visit. Thanks to Andre, Brigida, Loreta & Francesca in Palau for making us feel so welcome. Now the wedding and honeymoon are over I'll have more time to develop the site to show more 3d pictures from the other places I have visited. Keep checking for updates.
23rd June 2006
Hello everyone. The next update will be on Thursday 13th July as I will be in Sardinia for the next two weeks on honeymoon.
Don't forget to come back.
22nd June 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - LANGPORT and more pictures added at CROSCOMBE.
15th June 2006
This weeks update is a feature on the 100th anniversary of COLLETT DAY in SHEPTON MALLET.
8th June 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - SOUTH BARROW & more pictures added at MARSTON BIGOT.
1st June 2006
NEW TOWN ADDED - WESTON SUPER MARE & more pictures added at FAULKLAND.
25th May 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - NORTH PERROTT.
18th May 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - BABCARY, and more pictures added at PILTON.
11th May 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - KNOLE, and more pictures added at CASTLE CARY.
4th May 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - WHATLEY, and more pictures added at EAST LYNG & NUNNEY.
1st May 2006
Hello everyone.
Another new month begins. My regular visitors will notice that all the town & village maps have been changed. After discussions with Multimap, I had to come to a decision to either pay an annual fee or create my own maps. I chose the latter. Clicking on the maps will take you to the Multimap web site. I'd like to express my thanks to them for their understanding and patience.
27th April 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - COSSINGTON.
20th April 2006
NEW VILLAGES ADDED - EAST COKER and MILTON CLEVEDON.
6th April 2006
NEW VILLAGES ADDED - DINDER and STON EASTON. Also more pictures added at NORTHMOOR GREEN.
Next update will be on April 20th as I will be on my Easter holidays next week. Have a good Easter.
30th March 2006
NEW VILLAGES ADDED - DURSTON and WEST COKER.
23rd March 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - ALHAMPTON.
16th March 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - SUTTON MONTIS and more pictures added at UPTON NOBLE & SOUTH HORRINGTON VILLAGE.
9th March 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - MONTACUTE.
2nd March 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - HASELBURY PLUCKNETT and more pictures added at MELLS.
23rd February 2006
NEW VILLAGES ADDED - RODE & BECKINGTON.
Following on from last weeks article in the Shepton Mallet Journal I am pleased to announce that 3d glasses are now available to buy from the Tourist Information & Heritage Centre in Shepton Mallet.
16th February 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - STOKE St GREGORY.
The web site is featured in this weeks edition of my local newspaper, the Shepton Mallet Journal. You'd best make sure you get your copy before I get there. Thanks to Carol Vincent for the article.
10th February 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - NORTON ST PHILIP and more pictures added at REDLYNCH.
5th February 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - NORTH BARROW and more pictures added at CRANMORE.
29th January 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - EAST QUANTOXHEAD.
22nd January 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - NORTH CURRY.
I have updated the INFO page and added more links to more sites on Somerset and 3d photographs. Visit the top of the page to find out more.
15th January 2006
More pictures added at BATHAMPTON, DOULTING & GLASTONBURY.
6th January 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - MUCHELNEY.
1st January 2006
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - WEST HARPTREE.
A happy New Year to you all.
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24th December 2005
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - KILVE, and more pictures added at BRUTON and SOMERTON.
I hope you all have a smashing Christmas and here's to a peaceful New Year..
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17th December 2005
More pictures added at CORSTON, OAKHILL, QUEEN CAMEL and WANSTROW.
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11th December 2005
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - TINTINHULL, and more pictures added at SHEPTON MALLET .
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8th December 2005
UPDATE PROBLEMS UPDATE - Problem fixed at last.
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - DUNSTER, and more pictures added at CHESTERBLADE & WEDMORE.
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6th December 2005
UPDATE PROBLEMS - Hello everyone. As my internet connection is down at the moment I will be unable to provide any updates. I am assured by BT that they are doing all they can to find and rectify the fault but, until it's fixed, I can only sit and wait. As soon as the problem is fixed I will load the next update. Thank you for your support.
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27th November 2005
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - CROSCOMBE, and more pictures added at LIMINGTON & SOUTH CADBURY.
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20th November 2005
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - PORLOCK WEIR.
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13th November 2005
NEW VILLAGE ADDED - BLAGDON.
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22nd October 2005
SOMERSET 3D version 2 launched for testing. Hopefully this version will be better for dial up users. Let me know what you think please.
Reports suggest a much better performance though large pictures can still take time to load. I decide to accept this as anaglyphs rely on quality.
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17th October 2005
After response from testing the web site will be modified slightly to improve performance for dial up users. Official launch delayed as a consequence.
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2nd October 2005
SOMERSET 3D WEB SITE LAUNCHED FOR TESTING
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19th July 2005
Construction of the Somerset 3D web site starts.
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